Pope Leo XIV renews urgent call for peace in the ongoing war against Ukraine

 

Aftermath of overnight Russian strikes on Kyiv and surrounding districts  (ANSA)

Pope

• Pope Leo XIV
• appeal
• peace
• Ukraine

Pope Leo: Peace is urgently needed, requiring responsible decisions

After the Angelus prayer, the Pope strongly renewed his appeal for the silencing of arms and the cessation of bombings. "Let an immediate ceasefire be reached and let dialogue be strengthened to pave the way toward peace," said the Pope, marking four years since the start of the war against Ukraine. Peace cannot be postponed, he emphasized: "Every war is truly a wound inflicted upon the entire human family; it leaves in its wake death, devastation and a trail of pain that marks generations."

By Antonella Palermo

"Let the weapons fall silent, let the bombings cease, let an immediate ceasefire be reached, and let dialogue be strengthened to pave the way toward peace."

Four years after the start of the war against Ukraine, the Pope’s heart went out to the people living through such suffering devastation, which Pope Leo recalled following the Angelus prayer from the Apostolic Palace window, a war that is "unfolding before the eyes of the whole world."

“So many victims, so many lives and families shattered, such immense destruction, such unspeakable suffering! Every war is truly a wound inflicted upon the entire human family; it leaves in its wake death, devastation and a trail of pain that marks generations. Peace cannot be postponed. It is an urgent necessity that must find a home in our hearts and be translated into responsible decisions.”

United in prayer

The Pope strongly encouraged everyone to "join in prayer for the embattled people of Ukraine and for all those who suffer due to this war and every conflict in the world, that the long-awaited gift of peace may shine upon our days."

Repeated appeals for peace

Today’s appeal, on the fourth anniversary of the start of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine, carries a bitter aftertaste, but nonetheless continues to keep hope alive. This has been the case since the poignant pleas of Pope Francis for peace in the heart of Europe were consistently raised, accompanied by his great concern for the martyred Ukrainian people. This expression has become familiar to many. The pleas were reiterated by Leone XIV right after his election when he called the war "senseless" and emphasized the urgency of reaching "an authentic, just, and lasting peace as soon as possible."

The release of all prisoners and the return of children to their families have been recurring themes in the Pope’s prayers. Now, the intense cold of winter, which exacerbates the damage caused by the bombings, particularly concerns him. “May the clamor of weapons cease, and may the parties involved, with the support and commitment of the international community, find the courage to engage in sincere, direct and respectful dialogue” he stated in his Christmas Urbi et Orbi message.

Heartfelt solidarity with the victims of war

Continuing the solidarity shown by his predecessor for the Ukrainian population, Pope Leo has sent repeated humanitarian assistance from the Papal Almoner to Ukraine. He also spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, received associations working closely with war victims, mothers and wives of Ukrainian soldiers at the front, children and young people deprived of opportunities. He has also met with beneficiaries of emergency refuge, and met with Ukrainian pilgrims, praising the faith of a land rich with "the testimony of many saints" and "the blood of many martyrs."

During an audience with Ukrainian President Zelensky last December, he reiterated the Holy See’s willingness to host negotiations. He has even contemplated a visit to Kyiv, though he acknowledged the necessity of prudent realism. In the face of the escalation of an increasingly hybrid conflict, with significant damage to civilians and infrastructure, upon returning from his first international trip, he emphasized the importance of European and Italian involvement. “Serious commitment to dialogue,” he hoped for at the end of August, while, for the anniversary of Ukraine’s national holiday, he expressed "with a heart wounded by violence" his condolences to the families of the fallen and to the displaced people.