The leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, has called for at least one day of universal peace across the globe in honor of Christmas. He emphasized that even a brief cessation of hostilities during the holiday should be seen as a sign of humanity and mutual respect.
On the evening of December 23, during a conversation with journalists at the Castel Gandolfo residence near Rome, the Pope addressed people of good will. “Once again, I urge everyone to respect peace for at least one day—even if only in honor of the holiday,” he said.
Pope Leo XIV openly expressed his deep concern over Russia’s rejection of ceasefire appeals. He believes that a silence of arms on sacred days like Christmas could ease the pain and suffering in the world.
It is notable that since Russia launched military actions against Ukraine in February 2022, the country has refused several ceasefire proposals. Peace negotiations, which resumed over the weekend in the U.S. state of Florida, have so far yielded no substantial progress. On the same day, the Ukrainian side announced that, following heavy battles, it would withdraw from the strategically important city of Siversk in Donetsk Oblast.
Speaking about global conflicts, the Pope expressed his hopes by stating, “I still believe they will listen and that there will be at least 24 hours of peace worldwide,” underscoring his optimism.
Additionally, it is worth noting that earlier this December, the Pontiff hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Italy. When asked about Zelensky’s invitation to visit Ukraine, the Pope cautiously responded, “I hope so,” while adding that it was not yet possible to specify when such a visit might occur.
On the eve of Christmas, the Pope’s appeal has reignited discussions about peace among the global community.
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