Pope Leo urges ‘courage’ to end Ukraine war in first Christmas address
In his first Christmas address to a crowd in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo urged Ukraine and Russia to find the “courage” to hold direct talks to end the war.
In his Urbi et Orbi speech, traditionally delivered by the Pope to worshipers gathered in the Vatican on Christmas Day, he called for an end to conflicts around the world.
Speaking about Ukraine, the Pope said: “Let the arms clamor cease and let the parties concerned find the courage to engage in frank, direct and respectful dialogue with the support and determination of the international community.”
His call came at a time when US-led negotiations on an agreement to end the conflict were ongoing.
The United States has attempted to mediate between Kiev and Moscow to create a mutually acceptable agreement to end the conflict, but direct talks between the warring parties have not occurred in this latest round of diplomatic efforts.
During a homily delivered in St. Peter’s Basilica in the early hours of Christmas Day, Pope Leo lamented the plight of homeless people around the world and the damage caused by conflict.
“The fragile is the flesh of defenseless peoples who have gone through many wars, ongoing or concluded, leaving behind rubble and open wounds,” the Pope said.
He noted the situation of Palestinians in Gaza and condemned the “rubble and open wounds” created by the wars.
He said the story of Jesus’ birth shows God “pitching his fragile tent” among the people of the world.
The pope continued: “So how can we not think of the tents in Gaza that have been exposed to rain, wind and cold for weeks?”
Gaza has been devastated by Israeli bombardment in a two-year war triggered by a Hamas attack on Israel.
Winter storms further aggravated the situation of the region’s 2.1 million population; Almost all of this population was displaced and their homes were damaged or destroyed.
Aid organizations called for Israel to allow more tents and urgently needed supplies into Gaza.
Cogat, the Israeli military body that controls Gaza’s border crossings, rejected claims of deliberate aid restriction, saying about 310,000 tents and tarpaulins had been delivered since the ceasefire began in October.
