Pope calls for permanent peace for Ukraine for Christmas

Pope calls for permanent peace for Ukraine for Christmas

Pope Francis called for a “negotiation” in his Christmas message on Christmas Eve to end the war in Ukraine. In his speech, he appealed to put down the weapons in global conflicts and to promote reconciliation between the enemies.

Appeal for peace in Ukraine

The statements of the 88-year-old Pope followed a massive air attack Russia and illustrate its ongoing commitment to peaceful agreement in the Ukraine conflict. The months of intensive bombings by Russia have put Ukraine into a precarious situation, while the war is now in its third winter.

call to terminate violence

"May the noise of weapons in the war -plagued Ukraine fall silent!" the Pope called in his traditional "Urbi et orbi" address. "May the courage be present to open the door to the negotiation and gestures of the dialogue and the encounter to achieve a fair and permanent peace."

political developments and peace negotiations

In the past, the Pope had even suggested that the Ukraine the "Courage of the white flag" Should show what met critical voices in Kyiv. Nevertheless, relationships between the Vatican and Ukraine have improved. President Wolodymyr Selenskyj met the Pope for the third time in October and thanked the Holy Chair for his support in the release of Ukrainian prisoners.

peace deal as a possible perspective

A peace deal for the end of the Ukraine War seems to be increasingly realistic after the re-election of President Donald Trump, who promised to end the conflict. Selenskyj also recently signaled that he is ready to take negotiations. Although Francis did not formulate a detailed position on a possible peace agreement, the Foreign Minister of the Holy Chair emphasized that the "territorial integrity of the Ukraine" respect.

call for peace for the Middle East

In his Christmas message, the Pope also turned to the Middle East and emphasized that the "humanitarian situation in Gaza was extremely serious". "I think of the Christian communities in Israel and Palestine, especially the esteemed community in Gaza," he said. "May the hosts be released and help for the people exhausted by hunger and war may be granted."

request for investigating genocide allegations

francis recently more clearly to the Israel-hamas-Hamas-Hamas-Konflict referred to the events there, which should "not be called war". In a book that was published last month, the Pope asked for an investigation into Genozid allegations .

crises and humanitarian emergencies worldwide

According to the Ministry of Health Gazas, the Israeli attack has cost more than 45,000 Palestinians since the beginning of the war and violated over 100,000 people. The conflict began after the militant had attacked Hamas on October 7, 2023, which led to 1,200 dead and more than 250 hostages.

concern for further conflicts

The Pope also spoke about the "closeness to the Christian community in Lebanon, especially in the south, as well as the communities in Syria" and asked for open doors for dialogue and peace in the conflict -loaded region. He referred to the "children who die of measles in the Congo", and the humanitarian crises in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Mozambique. "The humanitarian crisis is mainly caused by armed conflicts and the evil of terrorism, reinforced by the devastating effects of climate change that lead to the loss of human life and to expulsion of millions," he said.

anniversary year and hope for reconciliation

On the Heilgen Nacht, the Pope opened the anniversary year of the Catholic Church, an old tradition that began opening the “holy door” of the Petersbazilica, which is normally closed. Rome, since the eternal city is preparing to

Those who walk through the holy door and carry out certain spiritual and charitable acts are given a complete indulgence, a centuries -old Catholic tradition that is associated with the forgiveness of sins and can help to free a soul from purgatory.

message of reconciliation and hope

Francis expressed the hope that the anniversary could be a moment in which "the ideological walls that often shape political life" were torn down in order to award the debt of poorer countries and thus inspire the political authorities on the "American continent" to promote "social peace".

In his Christmas address, Francis emphasized that the opening of the holy door shows that "God's mercy can do everything" and encouraged everyone to "reconcile themselves with themselves and be able to reconcile each other, even with our enemies."

The Pope was brought to the balcony over St. Peter's Square in a wheelchair and gave his speech sitting. The anniversary year will certainly test the perseverance of the Pontifex, which has decided to keep the Angelus prayer from his residence in the Vatican last Sunday because he suffered from cold symptoms. On Thursday he plans to visit Rebibbia prison in Rome to open a holy door at the anniversary celebrations, which will be the first time that such a door is opened in a prison.