VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV on Thursday urged Russia and Ukraine to find the “courage” to hold direct talks and spoke of the dire humanitarian situation due to the Israeli military offensive in Gaza in his first Christmas message.
Pope Leo, who was elected by fellow cardinals in May after the death of his predecessor Pope Francis, also condemned the “senselessness” of war and the “rubble and open wounds” it leaves behind.
Speaking to a crowd of some 26,000 people in St Peter’s Square, the pope called for “solidarity with and acceptance of those in need” in Europe — a possible reference to growing anti-immigration sentiment on the continent.
“Let us pray in a particular way for the tormented people of Ukraine,” he said.
“May the parties involved, with the support and commitment of the international community, find the courage to engage in sincere, direct and respectful dialogue,” he added.
Russian and Ukrainian officials have spoken separately in recent weeks to US negotiators about proposals to end the war.
Tens of thousands have been killed and millions forced to flee their homes on both sides.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this week outlined key points of a plan to end the conflict after US talks.
But Russian President Vladimir Putin has so far shown no willingness to compromise.
‘Return of life’
In his first Christmas homily as pontiff, Leo addressed the dismal conditions in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people are still living in temporary shelters in wintry conditions weeks after a fragile ceasefire took hold. Despite the US-backed ceasefire, Israel continued military attacks in Gaza in violation of the truce terms.
“How… can we not think of the tents in Gaza, exposed for weeks to rain, wind and cold,” the pope said, adding that the Palestinian territory’s inhabitants “have nothing left and have lost everything.”
The UN has said that an estimated 1.3 million people currently need shelter assistance in Gaza and has warned of the increasing risk of hypothermia as temperatures dip.
In Bethlehem, the Christian community celebrated its first festive Christmas in more than two years as the occupied West Bank city emerged from the shadow of the war in Gaza.
Hundreds of worshippers gathered for mass on Wednesday night at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus Christ.
Hundreds also took part in the parade down Bethlehem’s narrow Star Street on Wednesday, while a dense crowd massed in the square.
Christmas celebrations
In the United States, President Donald Trump issued a starkly different message to those of religious leaders.
He wished a Merry Christmas “to everyone, including the radical left-wing scum”, referring to Democrats.
Severe weather disrupted the holiday season in California where authorities, fearing flooding, have declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles and ordered evacuations.
In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had a sombre message after the deadly attack during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14.
“After the terror inflicted on Jewish Australia celebrating Hanukkah and Bondi Beach, we feel the weight of sorrow in our hearts,” he said
