Sudan PM meets Pope Leo XIV ahead of Oxford Union debate
MAY 11 2026 (VATICAN CITY) – Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idriss met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Monday to discuss the country’s humanitarian crisis, shortly before a planned trip to Britain that has sparked a wave of public criticism.
Idriss arrived at the Vatican, the spiritual centre of the Catholic Church, to seek support for peace and humanitarian dialogue. The prime minister said on the X platform that he discussed strengthening relations with the Holy See and the urgent need to end the suffering of the Sudanese people.
The Sudanese leader also held talks with Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Monsignor Mihai Plage. The discussions focused on the delivery of humanitarian aid and unifying efforts to achieve stability and national recovery in the war-torn country.
A Sudanese cabinet statement said that Idriss briefed the Pope on the government’s efforts to support national dialogue and promote peace. The statement said the government remains committed to cooperation with the Vatican to serve global peace and humanitarian causes.
The prime minister is scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom on Wednesday to participate in a debate at the Oxford Union. Established in 1823, the Union is a prestigious debating society that frequently hosts heads of state and high-profile political figures.
The invitation has drawn sharp criticism from some Sudanese activists and citizens. They expressed concern that the high-profile appearance could serve to legitimize military-backed rule and prolong the conflict that has gripped the nation.
Activists have widely shared the Union’s invitation on social media, leading to increased scrutiny of the institution. The invitation described Idriss as a legal expert and international civil servant who became the first civilian prime minister since Abdalla Hamdok.
The Oxford Union’s literature characterized the current administration as a “government of hope” tasked with maintaining essential services and managing a fragile transition. It noted that the government operates under intense international and regional oversight during the civil war.
Idriss said he looks forward to engaging with students at Oxford to discuss leadership during times of crisis. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation in restoring dignity and building peace in Sudan.
The backlash against the Oxford Union’s decision to host the prime minister is expected to grow as the event nears. Idriss assumed his current position last year amid a devastating internal power struggle between rival military factions.