Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday renewed his call for a global truce on Christmas Day, expressing deep sadness over what he described as Russia’s apparent rejection of a request for a ceasefire.
Speaking to reporters at his residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome, the pontiff appealed to the international community to observe a day of peace to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. “I am renewing my request to all people of goodwill to respect a day of peace, at least on the feast of the birth of our Saviour,” he said.
The pope said it caused him “great sadness” that Russia had seemingly turned down the proposal. “Among the things that cause me great sadness is the fact that Russia has apparently rejected a request for a truce,” he added, expressing hope that world leaders would still listen to the appeal. “I hope they will listen and there will be 24 hours of peace in the whole world.”
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and has consistently rejected calls for a ceasefire, arguing that any pause in fighting would give Ukraine a military advantage.
The pope’s comments came amid renewed violence in Ukraine, where authorities said troops had withdrawn from a town in the east following intense battles with Russian forces. Relentless strikes by Moscow reportedly killed three civilians and left thousands without electricity as freezing winter temperatures set in.
Despite recent diplomatic activity, there were no signs of an imminent breakthrough. Senior negotiators from Russia and Ukraine were in Miami last weekend for separate meetings with US officials aimed at ending nearly four years of conflict.
Pope Leo met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this month and said he hoped to accept an invitation to visit Ukraine, though he cautioned that it was not yet possible to say when such a trip could take place.
He also warned that pursuing peace in Ukraine without European diplomatic involvement would be “unrealistic” and cautioned that US President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan could trigger a “huge change” in the transatlantic alliance.
