Pope Leo XIV Urges 24-Hour Global Truce on Christmas
Expresses sadness over Russia rejecting ceasefire appeal
- Pope appeals for 24-hour global peace on Christmas Day
- Says Russia has “apparently rejected” a truce request
- Renews call for peace amid continuing Ukraine war
- Warns peace without European involvement is unrealistic
GG News Bureau
Rome, 24th Dec: Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday renewed his appeal for a global Christmas Day truce, expressing “great sadness” that Russia has “apparently rejected” a request for a ceasefire amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters at his residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome, the Pope said, “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.” He added that Russia’s reported refusal to consider a truce was among the developments that caused him “great sadness.”
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and has consistently rejected ceasefire proposals, arguing that any pause would benefit Ukrainian forces militarily.
Referring to conflicts worldwide, Pope Leo said he hoped that “there will be 24 hours of peace in the whole world.”
His appeal comes as fighting continues in eastern Ukraine. On Tuesday, Ukrainian forces withdrew from a town after intense clashes with Russian troops, while Moscow’s strikes reportedly killed three civilians and cut electricity to thousands in freezing winter conditions. There were no signs of a near-term breakthrough in peace talks, even as senior negotiators from both countries held separate meetings with US officials in Miami last weekend.
The Pope also revealed that he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this month and said he hoped to visit Ukraine, though he could not confirm a timeline. He cautioned that seeking peace without European diplomatic involvement would be “unrealistic” and warned that proposed US peace plans could cause a “huge change” in transatlantic relations.
