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In his first Christmas address to a crowd in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo urged Ukraine and Russia to find the “courage” to enter into direct talks to end the war.
He called for an end to conflicts around the world in his “City and World” speech, traditionally delivered by the pope to faithful gathered in Vatican City on Christmas Day.
Referring to Ukraine, the pope said: “May the clamor of weapons cease and may the parties involved find the courage to engage in a sincere, direct and respectful dialogue, with the support and commitment of the international community.”
His request comes as U.S.-led talks continue on a deal to end the fighting.
The United States has been seeking to mediate between Kiev and Moscow to reach a mutually acceptable agreement to end the fighting, but in the latest round of diplomatic efforts, the warring sides have yet to hold direct talks.
Pope Leo also condemned the unrest and conflict plaguing other parts of the world, including Thailand and Cambodia, where deadly border clashes broke out despite a ceasefire in July.
He asked Southeast Asian countries to restore “ancient friendship” and “work towards reconciliation and peace.”
In an earlier Christmas homily in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo expressed regret for the plight of homeless people around the world and the devastation caused by conflict.
“The physical fragility of defenseless peoples who have been through so many wars, both ongoing and ended, has left behind rubble and open wounds,” the pope said.
He said the nativity story shows that God has “pitched his flimsy tent” among men. “So,” he asked, turning his attention to the situation of Palestinians, “how can we not think about the tents in Gaza, exposed to rain, wind and cold for weeks?”
Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, triggering a two-year war in which the Gaza Strip was devastated by Israeli bombing.
The winter storm has exacerbated the plight of the region’s 2.1 million people, nearly all of whom have been displaced and whose homes have been damaged or destroyed.
Aid agencies have called on Israel to allow more tents and much-needed supplies into Gaza.
Cogat, the Israeli military agency that controls Gaza crossings, dismissed suggestions that aid was being deliberately restricted, saying nearly 310,000 tents and tarps had been delivered since the ceasefire began in October.
