Pope Leo made an impassioned appeal for peace in Ukraine on Sunday (February 22), saying an end to the four-year-old conflict "cannot be postponed" as the United States tries to broker an elusive accord between Moscow and Kyiv.

During his weekly Angelus address to pilgrims in St Peter’s Square after prayers he said his "heart goes out again to the dramatic situation that everyone can see."

Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion on its neighbour on February 24, 2022, used drones and ballistic and cruise missiles in its latest attacks overnight, the Ukrainian military and local officials said on Sunday.

"It leaves behind death, devastation and a trail of pain that marks generations. Peace cannot be postponed," the Pope said.

The U.S. has been seeking to mediate between the two sides, but progress has been halting, with Russia demanding Ukraine withdraw from parts of the eastern Donbas region it still controls, an idea Kyiv has rejected.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VATICAN CITY (FEBRUARY 22, 2026) (VATICAN MEDIA - Access all)

1. CROWD IN ST PETER'S SQUARE

2. POPE LEO AT WINDOW FROM ST PETER'S BASILICA

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO, SAYING:

"Four years have now passed since the beginning of the war against Ukraine. My heart still goes out to the dramatic situation that is before everyone’s eyes. How many victims, how many lives and families destroyed, how much destruction, how much unspeakable suffering! Every war truly is a wound inflicted upon the entire human family."

4. CROWD STANDING AND LISTENING

5. GROUP OF NUNS STANDING AND LISTENING

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO, SAYING:

"It leaves behind death, devastation and a trail of pain that marks generations. Peace cannot be postponed, it is an urgent necessity that must find space in hearts and be translated into responsible decisions. For this reason, I firmly renew my appeal: May the weapons fall silent, may the bombings cease, may an immediate ceasefire be reached without delay, and may dialogue be strengthened to open the path to peace."

7. CROWD CHEERING

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO, SAYING:

"I invite everyone to join in prayer for the martyred Ukrainian people and for all those who suffer because of this war and of every conflict in the world, so that the long-awaited gift of peace may shine upon our days."

9. TOWER OF ST PETER'S BASILICA