Overview
- From Castel Gandolfo, Leo urged a worldwide one‑day ceasefire for Christmas and voiced sadness that Russia apparently refused, while expressing hope for progress on Gaza talks after updates from church leaders on the ground.
- Ukraine reported continued strikes and frontline assaults despite the appeal, as President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly thanked the pope for pursuing a Christmas ceasefire and echoed disappointment over Moscow’s stance.
- Presiding over Midnight Mass at St. Peter’s, the pope preached that denying help to the poor and strangers is a rejection of God, stressing migrants, the vulnerable and the dignity of every human life.
- The pontiff restored a Christmas Day Mass and will deliver the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing, closing celebrations that also coincide with the end of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Holy Year.
- Addressing Illinois’ new assisted‑suicide law, he said he was very disappointed Governor JB Pritzker signed it after a November audience, calling for respect for life from conception to natural death.