Pope Leão XIV Calls for Christmas Truce as Strikes Hit Ukraine

Overview

• The pope said Russia apparently refused a Christmas ceasefire and appealed to people of goodwill for at least 24 hours of peace worldwide.
• Ukrainian leaders reported fresh Russian missile and drone barrages that targeted the power grid and caused casualties and blackouts during the holiday.
• Leão XIV presided over his first Christmas Eve and Day liturgies, including a surprise greeting in St. Peter’s Square, to amplify his peace appeal.
• He spotlighted humanitarian suffering in Gaza and urged care for the poor, migrants and children, criticizing an economy that treats people as commodities.
• Ahead of the World Day of Peace, he promoted a “disarmed and disarming” peace, condemned wartime uses of artificial intelligence and warned against an arms race.