Pope Francis delivered his annual “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) Christmas speech and blessing from the Vatican on Wednesday, calling for global peace and an end to continuing hostilities.
During his presentation that serves as a review of the world’s sufferings this year, the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church specifically referenced the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and urged for “the boldness needed to open the door to negotiation.”
“May the sound of weapons be silenced in Ukraine,” Francis exclaimed from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to hundreds of people in the square beneath.
He additionally advocated for “gestures of dialogue and encounter, in order to achieve a just and lasting peace.”
Francis, 88, is marking the 12th Christmas of his pontificate by urging an end to political, social, and military conflicts in Lebanon, Mali, Mozambique, Haiti, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.
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Francis, who has been pope since 2013, was chastised by Ukrainian leaders this year for saying the country should have the fortitude of the “white flag” to put an end to the conflict with Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had earlier stated that he would not engage in peace talks until Ukraine’s pre-war borders were restored.
However, in the weeks following Donald Trump’s re-election as President of the United States, Zelenskyy has demonstrated an increasing inclination to engage in negotiations.
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Francis, who has recently become more critical of Israel’s military operation in Gaza, reiterated his plea for a cease-fire in the Israeli-Hamas conflict and the release of the remaining Israeli captives held by Hamas.
He described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “extremely grave” and urged “the doors of dialogue and peace (to) be flung open.”
According to the Associated Press, Christmas marked the beginning of the 2025 Holy Year celebration, which is expected to draw over 32 million Catholics to Rome.
Pilgrims gathered early Wednesday to pass through the massive Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica.
Traversing the Holy Door is one means for the devout to earn indulgences, or forgiveness for sins, during a Jubilee, a once-every-quarter-century practice dating back to 1300.