Pope Leo XIV calls for peace in Middle East, Ukraine in first Christmas message as pontiff

American-born Pope Leo XIV used his first Christmas Day message to call for an end to hostilities across the globe during an address in front of tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square in Rome.

“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,” Leo said during his first “Urbi et Orbi” address as pope.

He singled out Lebanon, Palestine, Israel and Syria in praying for “justice, peace and stability.”

Pope Leo XIV called for and end to global conflicts in his first Christmas Day address as pontiff. ZUMAPRESS.com

Leo also spared a thought for those in war-torn parts of Africa and Asia, as well as people suffering due to religious persecution, political instability and terrorism around the world.

“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,” he said.

Leo called for “justice, peace and stability” in war-torn regions like Lebanon, Palestine, Israel and Syria. AFP via Getty Images

“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.”

His words on Thursday echo the sentiment the pontiff expressed on Christmas Eve, in which he made an appeal for “one full day of peace throughout the world,” while criticizing Russia for refusing a holiday cease-fire.

“I once again make this appeal to all people of good will: that, at least on the feast of the birth of the Savior, one day of peace may be respected,” the first American pontiff said Tuesday.