"Truly, among the things that cause me great sadness is the fact that Russia refused a Christmas truce. I once again make this request to all people of good will: respect, at least on the feast of the birth of Jesus, a 24-hour truce in Ukraine and throughout the world." Pope Leo XIV said this, calling on Moscow and Kiev to call a ceasefire, an appeal extended to every country in conflict.
He also made reference to the Middle East: "An hour ago," the pontiff said as he left Villa Barberini in Castel Gandolfo, "I was in contact with the parish priest of Gaza, where they are trying to celebrate a Christmas celebration in a still very precarious situation. For this reason too," the Pope concluded, "we hope that the peace agreement will move forward."
(Unioneonline)
