"The madness of war" in the focus of the Pope

TT

Published 13.54

 

Pope Leo XIV addresses the tens of thousands of believers gathered in St. Peter's Square in Rome. Photo: Gregorio Borgia/AP/TT

In his first Christmas address, Leo XIV urged Russia and Ukraine to muster the courage for direct talks.

He also spoke of the serious situation in Gaza and the "open wounds and ruins" that follow in the wake of the war.

In front of the 26,000 spectators gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope condemned the senselessness of the war and addressed the stalled peace process.

- May the parties involved, with the support and commitment of the international community, find the courage to begin a sincere, direct and respectful dialogue, the Pope said, urging the crowd to pray for the victims of the war.

“Let us pray especially for the suffering people of Ukraine,” he said.

Earlier in the day, the Pope celebrated Mass and recalled the difficult conditions in which Jesus was born, drawing a parallel to the situation in Gaza.

“How can we not think of the tents in Gaza, which have been exposed to rain, wind and cold for weeks,” said Leo XIV, adding that the inhabitants of the area “have nothing left and have lost everything.