“I have learned with concern of the reports of increasing violence in the Sahel region, particularly in Chad and Mali, which have been hit by recent terrorist attacks,” said Pope Leo following his Regina Coeli prayer in St Peter’s Square.

“I offer my prayers for the victims and express my solidarity with all those who are suffering. I hope that all forms of violence will cease, and I encourage every effort toward peace and development in that beloved land.”

On Saturday, security sources said dozens of people in central Mali had been killed the day before by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda-linked group that had already killed at least 30 people in attacks on villages earlier on Wednesday.

In Chad, the jihadist group Boko Haram killed at least 26 army personnel last week, prompting the government on Thursday to declare a 20-day state of emergency in the Lady Chad region.