Pope Leo expresses 'much sadness' about Russia refusing Christmas ceasefire

December 23, 2025 2:46 PM EST

Pope Leo XIV holds a general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, December 17, 2025. REUTERS/Ciro De Luca

VATICAN CITY, ⁠Dec ⁠23 (Reuters) - ‍Pope Leo said on Tuesday that he ‍feels "much sadness" that Russia did ​not agree to a ​Christmas ceasefire in its nearly four-year old war with Ukraine.

"Among the things ​that cause me much sadness is that apparently ​Russia has refused a ceasefire request," ‌the pope told journalists outside his residence in Castel ​Gandolfo, Italy.

"I will ⁠make an appeal one more time ‌to people of good will to respect at least ‌Christmas day as a day of ‌peace," said Leo, the first U.S. pope.

"Maybe they will listen to ‍us and there will be at least ⁠24 hours, a day of peace, across the world."

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)



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