Pope condemns massacre in Mali and calls for end to violence in the Sahel

Published on May 14, 2026 | Translated from Spanish

Pope Francis has condemned the recent wave of violence in the Sahel region following the killing of dozens of people in Mali. Security sources pointed to the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, linked to Al-Qaeda, as responsible for Friday's massacre in the center of the country. The pontiff expressed his sorrow and reiterated his call for peace amid growing instability due to extremist attacks.

Pope Francis, with a grave look and hands raised in a gesture of peace, prays over a map of the Sahel; in the background, shadows of violence in Mali.

Drones and satellite surveillance: technology against terrorism in the Sahel 🛰️

To confront groups like the one identified in Mali, security forces rely on surveillance systems using drones and satellites. These tools allow monitoring vast desert areas where extremists move easily. Geospatial data analysis helps predict movements and coordinate surgical strikes. However, lack of infrastructure and local corruption limit the effectiveness of these technologies, leaving the civilian population exposed to reprisals.

The Pope vs. Kalashnikovs: an uneven match in the Sahel ⚔️

While the Pope calls for peace with the same faith a child asks for toys, terrorists respond with Kalashnikovs and explosives. It's like bringing a rosary to a shootout: nice gesture, terrible strategy. The international community debates whether to send more troops or more prayers, though both options seem equally effective in the short term. At least drones don't need to go to confession.