Leo XIV encouraged all people of good will “to respect, at least, during the feast of the birth of the Savior, one day of peace. Hopefully, they’ll listen.”
Speaking to journalists on December 23, 2025, at Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV renewed an appeal for a Christmas truce, urging at least 24 hours of peace in global conflicts that continue to exact a heavy civilian toll.
Responding to questions about the international climate, the Pope said “one of the things that causes me great sadness these days is the fact that, apparently, Russia has rejected the request for a Christmas truce.”
Leo XIV emphasized that his appeal was not limited to governments or military leaders. He addressed “all people of good will,” asking them to support and pressure for a pause in fighting on Christmas Day.
“Even if it were only 24 hours,” he said, “one day of peace in the whole world.”
The call echoes a long-standing Vatican tradition of Christmas ceasefire appeals, though such proposals rarely gain formal traction. This year’s request comes as wars in Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East remain unresolved, with humanitarian agencies warning of worsening conditions for civilians during the winter months.
The Pope’s remarks were reinforced by developments in the Holy Land, where Christian communities are preparing for Christmas amid instability. In recent days, Pierbattista Pizzaballa visited the local parish, offering a visible sign of support from Church leadership. According to a parish priest contacted shortly before the Pope’s press appearance, communities are attempting to organize Christmas celebrations despite ongoing security concerns and limited resources.
The Pope avoided direct political prescriptions but was clear about the moral stakes. War, ultimately damages all involved, leaving long-term consequences that outlast any short-term military objectives. Christmas, centered on the birth of Christ, places that cost in sharper relief by confronting the contrast between the season’s message and the reality on the ground.
As he concluded the exchange, Leo XIV encouraged all people of good will “to respect, at least, during the feast of the birth of the Savior, one day of peace. Hopefully, they’ll listen.”
While no immediate breakthroughs were announced, the Vatican’s appeal positions Christmas once again as a moment to test whether restraint, however limited, is still possible.
