The Pope Issued A Statement On The Kremlin's Refusal To Hold A Cease-fire On Christmas Day

• 24.12.2025, 11:03

Leo XIV urged people of goodwill to honor the holiday as a day of peace.

Pope Leo XIV feels "great sadness" over the Kremlin's failure to agree to a Christmas ceasefire in its war against Ukraine.

"Among the things that cause me great sadness is apparently Russia's refusal to request a ceasefire," the pontiff said, his words quoted by Reuters.

The pope urged "people of goodwill to at least respect Christmas as a day of peace."

He also expressed hope that the call would be heeded: "Perhaps they will listen to us and there will be at least 24 hours in the whole world as a day of peace."

A Christmas truce was initiated by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Russia rejected it.