Pope Leo XIV has become a global one Truce to Christmas called. “I renew my request to all people of good will to respect a day of peace – at least on the feast day of the birth of our Savior,” the Catholic leader told reporters on Tuesday at his residence in Castel Gandolfo, near Rome.

The Pope paid particular attention to Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. “One of the things that makes me very sad is the fact that Russia appears to have rejected a call for a ceasefire,” the Pope continued. Russia had one last week Advance by Chancellor Friedrich Merz from agreeing to a ceasefire Christmas had suggested.

Addressing conflicting parties around the world, the pontiff said: “I hope that they will listen and there will be 24 hours of peace around the world.”