Pope Leo XIV Calls for Global Christmas Day Truce

Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday renewed his call for a global truce on Christmas Day, expressing “great sadness” that Russia had “apparently rejected” a request for a ceasefire.

“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 Savior,” the pope told reporters at his residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome.

Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022, has repeatedly dismissed ceasefire proposals, arguing they would give Kyiv a military advantage. “Among the things that cause me great sadness is the fact that Russia has apparently rejected a request for a truce,” Leo said.

Referring to conflicts worldwide, the pope added: “I hope they will listen and there will be 24 hours of peace in the whole world.”

The appeal came as Ukraine withdrew troops from a town in the east following intense fighting, while Russian strikes killed three civilians and left thousands without power amid freezing winter temperatures.

There was no sign of a diplomatic breakthrough after senior Russian and Ukrainian negotiators held separate meetings with US officials in Miami last weekend aimed at ending nearly four years of war.

Pope Leo met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this month and said he hoped to accept an invitation to visit Ukraine, though he cautioned that timing remained uncertain.

He also warned that pursuing peace in Ukraine without European diplomatic involvement was “unrealistic” and said US President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan could lead to a “huge change” in the transatlantic alliance.