In a heartfelt appeal for global harmony, Pope Leo XIV has called for a 24-hour worldwide truce to mark Christmas Day. The pontiff made his plea from his residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome, voicing profound disappointment that his request appears to have been rejected by Russia amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
A Plea for Peace on a Holy Day
Addressing reporters, Pope Leo XIV renewed his call to all people of goodwill. "I am renewing my request to all people of goodwill to respect a day of peace, at least on the feast of the birth of our Saviour," he stated. The Pope specifically expressed his "great sadness" that Russia had apparently rejected a request for such a temporary ceasefire. This stance by Moscow is consistent with its previous positions; since invading Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has repeatedly turned down ceasefire calls, arguing they would only grant a military advantage to Ukrainian forces.
Conflict Reality Overshadows Hope
The Pope's hopeful message contrasted sharply with the brutal reality on the ground in Ukraine. On Tuesday, Ukrainian forces were compelled to withdraw from a town in the east following intense battles with Russian troops. Simultaneously, relentless strikes by Moscow resulted in the deaths of three civilians and left thousands without power during freezing winter conditions.
Diplomatic efforts to find a breakthrough have also shown little immediate promise. Top negotiators from both Russia and Ukraine held separate meetings with US officials in Miami last weekend, seeking a deal to end the nearly four-year-long war. However, no sign of an imminent resolution emerged from these talks.
Diplomatic Warnings and a Potential Visit
Pope Leo's involvement in seeking peace has been active. He met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this month. When asked about accepting Zelensky's invitation to visit Ukraine, the Pope responded, "I hope so," but cautioned that setting a date for such a trip was not currently possible.
The pontiff also issued a significant diplomatic warning. He emphasized that seeking peace in Ukraine without European diplomatic involvement was "unrealistic". Furthermore, he cautioned that US President Donald Trump's proposed peace plan risked causing a "huge change" in the transatlantic alliance between the United States and Europe.
Despite the setbacks, Pope Leo XIV ended his Christmas address with a universal hope: "I hope they will listen and there will be 24 hours of peace in the whole world." This call for a brief respite from global conflict remains a poignant wish for the holiday season.
