Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday renewed his call for a global truce on Christmas Day, expressing “great sadness” over what he described as Russia’s apparent rejection of a request for a ceasefire.
Gatekeepers News reports that “I am renewing my request to all people of good will to respect a day of peace — at least on the feast of the birth of our Saviour,” the Pope told reporters at his residence in Castel Gandolfo, near Rome.
Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022, has repeatedly rejected calls for a ceasefire, arguing that such a move would give Ukraine a military advantage.
“Among the things that cause me great sadness is the fact that Russia has apparently rejected a request for a truce,” Leo said.
Speaking more broadly about ongoing conflicts, the pontiff added: “I hope they will listen and there will be 24 hours of peace in the whole world.”
His appeal came amid continued fighting in Ukraine. On Tuesday, Ukrainian forces withdrew from a town in the eastern part of the country following intense battles with Russian troops. Relentless Russian strikes reportedly killed three civilians and disrupted power supply to thousands of residents during freezing winter conditions.
There were no immediate signs of a diplomatic breakthrough, despite top negotiators from both Russia and Ukraine holding separate meetings with United States officials in Miami last weekend in an effort to end nearly four years of fighting.
Pope Leo also confirmed that he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this month. Asked whether he would accept Zelensky’s invitation to visit Ukraine, the pontiff said, “I hope so,” while cautioning that it was not possible to determine when such a visit could take place.
He further noted that pursuing peace in Ukraine without European diplomatic involvement would be “unrealistic” and warned that a proposed peace plan by US President Donald Trump could result in a “huge change” in the transatlantic alliance.
AFP
