In his Christmas message, the pontiff also appealed to Latin America, migrants and populations affected by wars and natural disasters
On his first Christmas as pope, this Thursday (25) he made an appeal for Ukraine to have the “courage” to begin direct negotiations to end the war. In his traditional message, the pontiff also highlighted the serious humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for more dialogue in the face of conflicts and crises around the world.
“We pray especially for the troubled Ukrainian people, that the thunder of weapons may cease and that the parties involved, with the support of the international community, find the courage to dialogue in a sincere, direct and respectful manner,” said the pope during the blessing. in the city and the world (to the city and the world).
Ukraine was invaded by Russia in February 2022. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, . The last direct negotiations between Moscow and Kiev took place about six months ago, with no progress towards a truce.
Before the blessing, during the mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo XIV spoke about the impact of wars on civilian populations. “Fragile is the flesh of defenseless populations, tried by so many wars, which leave behind rubble and open wounds,” he said.
The pontiff also highlighted the situation in , the scene of a two-year war between Israel and the Hamas group, which left tens of thousands dead and caused successive displacements of the population. He mentioned the “tents of Gaza, exposed to rain, wind and cold”, and the extreme conditions faced by residents during the winter.
Leo XIV, who has American and Peruvian citizenship, also made an appeal aimed at Latin America and migrants. He asked political leaders to prioritize dialogue and the common good, without ideological or partisan exclusions, and cited those who cross the continent in search of better living conditions.
In other parts of the world, leaders and believers also marked Christmas with messages of hope. King Charles III highlighted “compassion and reconciliation” in his Christmas speech, while in Gaza, the small Catholic community celebrated Midnight Mass with calls for an end to the war. In regions affected by natural disasters, such as the Indonesian island of Sumatra, religious celebrations took place amid mourning and reconstruction.
*With information from AFP
