In an appeal on Thursday (December 25) during the "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) message and blessing given by the pope at Christmas and Easter, Pope Leo called for an end to all global wars.

Speaking from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to thousands of people in the square below, he lamented conflicts, political, social or military, in Ukraine, Sudan, Mali, Myanmar, and Thailand and Cambodia, among others.

Leo said people in Ukraine, where Russian troops are threatening cities critical to the country's eastern defences, have been "tormented" by violence.

"May the clamour 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," said the pope.

The pope, who has made care for immigrants a key theme of his early papacy, also lamented the situation for migrants and refugees who "traverse the American continent."

Leo, who has in the past criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, did not mention Trump. In a Christmas Eve sermon on Wednesday, the pope said refusing to help the poor and strangers was tantamount to rejecting God himself.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

ATICAN CITY (DECEMBER 25, 2025) (VATICAN MEDIA - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF AERIAL VIEW OF ST.PETER’S SQUARE

2. NATIVITY SCENE IN ST. PETER’S SQUARE

3. POPE LEO ON POPEMOBILE GREETING CROWD

4. AERIAL VIEW OF ST. PETER’S SQUARE

5. FAITHFUL IN SQUARE

6. BALCONY OF ST. PETER’S BASILICA

7. VARIOUS OF POPE LEO ON BALCONY

8. CROWD IN SQUARE WAVING

9. POPE ON BALCONY

10. SWISS GUARDS STANDING IN SQUARE

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING (STARTS WITH VARIOUS OF CROWD IN SQUARE):

‘’Let us entrust the entire European continent to the Prince of Peace, asking him to continue to inspire a spirit of community and cooperation, in fidelity to its Christian roots and history, and in solidarity with and acceptance of those in need. Let us pray in a particular way for the martyred people of Ukraine. May the clamour 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.’’

12. FAITHFUL IN SQUARE

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING (CONTINUES WITH VARIOUS OF FAITHFUL IN SQUARE):

‘’With his grace, we can and must each do our part to reject hatred, violence and opposition, and to practice dialogue, peace and reconciliation. On this day of celebration, I wish to send a warm and fatherly greeting to all Christians, especially those living in the Middle East, whom I recently visited on my first Apostolic Journey.

14. VIEW OF ST. PETER’S BASILICA

15. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

"From God let us ask for justice, peace and stability for Lebanon, Palestine, Israel and Syria, trusting in these divine words: 'The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust for ever'.”

16. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING (STARTS WITH WOMAN LOOKING ON AND HONOUR GUARDS IN SQUARE):

'’From the Child of Bethlehem, we implore peace and consolation for the victims of all current wars in the world, especially those that are forgotten, and for those who suffer due to injustice, political instability, religious persecution and terrorism. I remember in a special way our brothers and sisters in Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso and the Democratic Republic of Congo.’’

17. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING (STARTS WITH WOMEN LOOKING ON):

‘’May the Child Jesus inspire those in Latin America who hold political responsibilities, so that, in facing the numerous challenges, space may be given to dialogue for the common good, rather than to ideological and partisan prejudices. Let us ask the Prince of Peace to illuminate Myanmar with the light of a future of reconciliation, restoring hope to the younger generations, guiding its entire people along paths of peace, and accompanying those who live without shelter, security or confidence in tomorrow.’’

18. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING (STARTS WITH VIEW OF ST. PETER’S BASILICA):

‘ ’Let us not allow ourselves to be overcome by indifference towards those who suffer, for God is not indifferent to our distress. 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; with those who have lost their jobs and those who are looking for work, like so many young people who struggle to find employment; with those who are exploited, like many underpaid workers; with those in prison, who often live in inhumane conditions.’’

19. (SOUNDBITE) (English) POPE LEO SAYING: ‘’Merry Christmas! May the peace of Christ reign in your hearts and in your families.’’

20. PEOPLE APPLAUDING

21. VIEW OF ST. PETER’S BASILICA

22. POPE BLESSING CROWD

23. AERIAL VIEW OF SQUARE

24. VARIOUS OF POPE ON BALCONY

25. HONOUR GUARD

26. POPE GREETING CROWD

27. POPE GREETING CROWD AND LEAVING

28. VIEW OF BALCONY

29. AERIAL VIEW OF SQUARE

30. BELLS

31. AERIAL VIEW OF SQUARE