Pope Francis has urged the world “to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions” in his traditional Christmas message, using his address to call for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan, and express concern over the “extremely grave” humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Francis addressed the conflict in Ukraine directly in his Urbi et Orbi message, calling for “gestures of dialogue and encounter, in order to achieve a just and lasting peace”. His message came hours after Russia launched a major aerial attack, using cruise missiles to target energy infrastructure across Ukraine.
Speaking from the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, the pope called for leaders to “open the door” to negotiations. “May the sound of arms be silenced in war-torn Ukraine,” the 88-year-old pontiff said.
