Pope Leo XIV has appealed to Russia and Ukraine to summon the courage to engage in direct negotiations, urging an end to the prolonged conflict that has devastated lives and communities since 2022.
The call formed a central part of his first Christmas message as pontiff, delivered on Thursday in St Peter’s Square before an estimated 26,000 worshippers.
The pope, elected in May following the death of Pope Francis, used the traditional Christmas blessing to denounce the futility of war and the lasting destruction it inflicts.
He spoke of conflicts leaving behind “rubble and open wounds,” stressing that violence offers no lasting solutions.
Focusing on Eastern Europe, Leo XIV offered prayers for the people of Ukraine, describing them as deeply afflicted by years of fighting.
He urged all parties involved, with the backing of the international community, to pursue sincere, respectful, and face-to-face dialogue as a path toward peace.
The war, sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced millions, and left large parts of eastern Ukraine in ruins.
While Ukrainian officials have recently outlined proposals aimed at ending the conflict following discussions with United States representatives, Russia has continued to maintain firm demands, showing little sign of compromise.
Beyond Ukraine, the pope turned attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people remain displaced weeks after a fragile ceasefire came into effect.
He spoke of families living in makeshift shelters exposed to cold, rain, and wind, noting that many residents have lost everything.
United Nations agencies estimate that more than one million people in Gaza currently require shelter assistance, warning that falling temperatures have increased the risk of cold-related illnesses.
The pope’s message echoed the concerns of local residents, including Palestinian Christians, who expressed hope that the Christmas season might mark the beginning of lasting peace and a return to normal life.
Elsewhere in the region, Christmas celebrations resumed in Bethlehem for the first time in more than two years.
Hundreds gathered at the Church of the Nativity for midnight mass, while festive processions returned to the city’s streets.
Worshippers described the celebrations as a rare moment of joy after a prolonged period overshadowed by war.
In Syria, Christmas decorations lit up parts of Damascus despite lingering fears following a deadly attack earlier in the year.
Members of the Christian community spoke of renewed hope and a desire for stability and a better future.
Outside the Middle East and Europe, Christmas messages around the world reflected sharply contrasting tones.
In the United States, President Donald Trump issued a highly political holiday greeting, while in Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese struck a sombre note following a recent deadly attack during a religious celebration.
Severe weather also disrupted festivities in parts of the United States, with emergency measures declared in California amid flooding concerns.
Through his Christmas address, Pope Leo XIV sought to place peace, compassion, and solidarity at the centre of global attention, urging world leaders and ordinary citizens alike to reject violence and work toward reconciliation and healing.
