Pope mentions Ukraine in his first Christmas address
Pope Leo XIV has called for peace in Ukraine in his first Christmas address to thousands of faithful in St Peter's Square in Rome.
Source: German press agency dpa, as reported by European Pravda
Details: The Pope asked for "the clamour of weapons to cease" and urged Russia and Ukraine to find the courage for "sincere, direct and respectful dialogue" with the support of the international community.
Referring to other global conflicts, the pontiff mentioned the people affected by war and violence in Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
He also prayed for "justice, peace and stability for Lebanon, Palestine, Israel and Syria".
Leo recalled that during a recent trip to the Middle East, he heard about people's fears and understood their sense of powerlessness in the face of power dynamics from which they suffer. He specifically mentioned the people of Gaza who have lost everything.
He concluded with the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" blessing (to the city and to the world).
Background:
- On Tuesday, Pope Leo XIV said that Russia's refusal to observe the Christmas ceasefire causes him "much sadness".
- Last week, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov effectively rejected a call by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for a possible ceasefire in the war over Christmas.
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