Pope Leo XIV has renewed his call for a global ceasefire on Christmas Day, voicing deep concern over reports that Russia turned down a proposal for a temporary truce.
The pontiff spoke on Tuesday at his residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome, where he expressed disappointment at the lack of progress toward even a brief pause in hostilities.
“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,” Leo told reporters.
Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has consistently dismissed calls for a ceasefire, arguing that any pause in fighting would benefit Ukraine militarily.
Reflecting on this position, the pope said: “Among the things that cause me great sadness is the fact that Russia has apparently rejected a request for a truce.”
Speaking more broadly about ongoing wars around the world, Leo stressed his hope for a short but symbolic halt to violence. “I hope they will listen and there will be 24 hours of peace in the whole world,” he added.
His comments came as the conflict in Ukraine continued to intensify. On Tuesday, Ukrainian forces withdrew from a town in the eastern part of the country following heavy clashes with Russian troops. At the same time, sustained strikes by Moscow reportedly killed three civilians and left thousands without electricity during harsh winter conditions.
Despite diplomatic efforts, there were no immediate signs of a breakthrough. Senior negotiators from Russia and Ukraine were in Miami last weekend for separate talks with United States officials aimed at finding a pathway to end nearly four years of war, but the discussions did not produce a clear outcome.
Pope Leo earlier this month held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. When asked whether he would accept an invitation from Zelensky to visit Ukraine, the pope responded cautiously.
“I hope so,” he said, while noting that it was not yet possible to determine when such a visit could realistically take place.
The pope also weighed in on international diplomacy, describing attempts to pursue peace in Ukraine without European involvement as “unrealistic.” He further warned that a peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump could lead to a “huge change” in the transatlantic alliance.
What you should know
Pope Leo XIV is positioning himself as a strong moral voice on the Ukraine conflict, urging at least a symbolic Christmas ceasefire as fighting grinds on.
His remarks highlight frustration with Russia’s refusal to consider a truce and underline the humanitarian cost of the war, especially during winter.
While he supports diplomatic efforts, the pope has cautioned that excluding Europe from peace talks could undermine stability and alliances, signalling concern about shifts in global diplomacy under emerging peace proposals.
