Vatican City,
Pope Leo has used his first Christmas Urbi et Orbi address to call on Ukraine and Russia to find the “courage” to engage in direct negotiations to end their conflict. Speaking to thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square on Thursday, the pontiff urged the international community to support a “sincere and respectful dialogue” between the two warring nations.
The Pope’s plea comes at a sensitive time for global diplomacy. While the United States continues to lead mediation efforts aimed at securing a peace deal, direct face-to-face talks between Kyiv and Moscow have yet to materialise in this latest round of negotiations.
A Call for Global Peace
Delivering the traditional Christmas Day message from the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, the Pope expanded his focus to other “open wounds” across the globe:
- South East Asia: He addressed the flare-up of deadly border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, despite a mid-year ceasefire. He urged the two nations to restore their “ancient friendship” and work toward reconciliation.
- The Homeless and Vulnerable: In an earlier sermon, the Pope lamented the “rubble” left behind by global wars, describing the flesh of defenceless populations as “fragile.”
‘The Tents of Gaza’
Pope Leo drew a sharp emotional parallel between the biblical story of the birth of Jesus—where God “pitched his fragile tent” among humanity—and the current humanitarian crisis in the Middle East.
“How can we not think of the tents in Gaza, exposed for weeks to rain, wind and cold?” the Pope asked the crowds.
Gaza has been devastated by two years of conflict following the 7 October 2023 attacks. With nearly all of the territory’s 2.1 million residents displaced, winter storms have brought a new level of misery to those living in makeshift camps.
The Aid Debate:
- Aid Agencies: Have issued urgent warnings that Israeli restrictions are preventing enough winter-grade tents and survival supplies from reaching the population.
- The Israeli Response: Cogat, the military body overseeing border crossings, has dismissed claims of deliberate restrictions. It says approximately 310,000 tents and tarpaulins have been delivered since a ceasefire began in October.
A Message of Hope Amid Turmoil
Pope Leo concluded his address by praying that the “clamour of weapons” would cease in all corners of the earth. His first Christmas as pontiff has been defined by a focus on the “fragility” of human life, urging world leaders to prioritise the dignity of the individual over the mechanics of war.
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