Pope on Ukraine: May weapons be silenced and doors for negotiations opened

Pope Francis. Photo: vaticannews

On December 25, during his traditional Christmas Urbi et Orbi ("To the City and the World") address in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis called for peace in Ukraine, as reported by Vatican News.

The Pope invited every person, people, and nation "to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sound of arms, and to overcome divisions."

“May the weapons be silenced in war-torn Ukraine! May there be strength to open doors for negotiations, gestures of dialogue, and encounters to achieve a just and lasting peace,” the Pontiff said.

He also turned his attention to the Middle East, calling for an end to hostilities.

“Looking at the Crib of Bethlehem, I turn my thoughts to the Christian communities in Palestine and Israel, especially the beloved community in Gaza, where an extremely dire humanitarian situation persists. May there be a ceasefire, may the hostages be released and aid be given to the people worn out by hunger and by war. In this challenging time, I also remain close to the Christian community in Lebanon, particularly in the south of the country, and to the community in Syria. May the doors of dialogue and peace be flung open throughout the region, devastated by conflict. I also think of the people of Libya, urging them to seek solutions that enable national reconciliation,” Pope Francis said in his message.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the Pope granted remote absolution to all who watched his address.

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