Pope Leo XIV, in his Christmas Day address on Thursday, made a heartfelt plea for peace in regions afflicted by conflict, urging an end to hostilities in both the Middle East and Ukraine.

Addressing a large gathering of tens of thousands in St. Peter’s Square during his inaugural “Urbi et Orbi” speech—Latin for “to the city and to the world”—Pope Leo expressed hopes for “justice, peace, and stability” in Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, and Syria.

The Pope then shifted focus to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, asking the faithful to keep the “suffering people” of Ukraine in their prayers.

“Let the sounds of warfare be silenced, and may those involved, with the backing and dedication of the international community, find the bravery to engage in genuine, open, and respectful dialogue,” he declared.

Pope Leo XIV was seen waving before giving the “Urbi et Orbi” Christmas blessing from the main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, on Thursday, December 25, 2025. (Photo by Gregorio Borgia/AP)

Pope Leo also remembered civilians caught in other conflicts, including in parts of Africa and Asia, and prayed for peace for people suffering under political instability, religious persecution and terrorism.

He urged world leaders to reject violence and indifference, stressing that peace must be rooted in justice, dialogue and solidarity with the most vulnerable.

“In becoming man, Jesus took upon himself our fragility, identifying with each one of us: with those who have nothing left and have lost everything, like the inhabitants of Gaza; with those who are prey to hunger and poverty, like the Yemeni people; with those who are fleeing their homeland to seek a future elsewhere, like the many refugees and migrants who cross the Mediterranean or traverse the American continent,” the pontiff said.

Pope Leo XIV, after delivering the Urbi et Orbi” Christmas Day blessing from the main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. (Gregorio Borgia/AP)

“On this holy day, let us open our hearts to our brothers and sisters who are in need or in pain. In doing so, we open our hearts to the Child Jesus, who welcomes us with open arms and reveals his divinity to us,” he added.

Pope Leo, the first U.S.-born pope, was elected in May following the death of Pope Francis and has made appeals for peace a central theme of his early papacy.

Pope Leo XIV waves before delivering the “Urbi et Orbi” Christmas Day blessing from the main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. (Gregorio Borgia/AP)

He has repeatedly called for an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine and has met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as part of his diplomatic outreach. 

The Vatican said in July that Pope Leo expressed willingness to host representatives of both Russia and Ukraine for peace negotiations, a position he has maintained.