CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy — Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday called for a global truce on Christmas Day, urged “all people of good will” worldwide to observe 24 hours of peace, and expressed sadness over what he said was Russia’s apparent rejection of a truce proposal amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022.
Pope Leo issued the appeal at his residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome, where he asked parties in all conflicts to respect “at least” a day of peace on the Christian feast marking the birth of Jesus.
The pontiff told reporters that he felt “great sadness” because, according to information he received, Russia had apparently rejected a request for a Christmas truce in its war with Ukraine.
Russia has repeatedly rejected calls for a ceasefire in Ukraine, and Russian officials have said a pause in fighting would provide a military advantage to Ukrainian forces.
Pope Leo, speaking about conflicts in general, said he hoped all warring parties would heed his appeal so that there would be “24 hours of peace in the whole world.”
Ukrainian officials said Russian strikes that same day killed three civilians and cut electricity to thousands of people in winter conditions.
Pope Leo said any lasting peace effort in Ukraine would require active involvement from European diplomatic actors, and he described attempts to reach an agreement without them as “unrealistic.”
He also commented on United States President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan for Ukraine and said the initiative could trigger a “huge change” in the transatlantic alliance between the United States and Europe.
Officials in Kyiv and Moscow did not immediately issue public responses on Tuesday to the pope’s renewed call for a one-day global truce.
