"Recognize your own mistakes!": Pope Leo XIV again called for peace in Ukraine

Pope Leo XIV, in his annual Christmas message Urbi et Orbi, delivered on December 25, 2025 from St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, appealed to the world to stop wars and seek sincere dialogue. The Pontiff highlighted the suffering of the Ukrainian people, emphasizing that the path to peace lies through responsibility, solidarity and recognition of one’s own mistakes, and offered prayers for stability in all conflict regions.

At noon on December 25, 2025, Pope Leo XIV spoke from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Before doing so, according to Vatican News, Pope Leo greeted the many pilgrims in the square by riding among them in a panoramic car. In his message, the pontiff particularly emphasized the situation in Ukraine: «We pray especially for the suffering Ukrainian people: may weapons not rumble everywhere, and may the parties involved, supported by the efforts of the international community, find the courage to engage in sincere, direct and respectful dialogue.»

Leo XIV recalled the words of his predecessor, Leo the Great, who asserted that «the Nativity of the Lord is the Nativity of Peace.» The Pontiff emphasized that since the Nativity of Christ , «a fundamental doctrine has emerged that will guide the entire life of the Son of God until his death on the cross: the doctrine of not leaving us the burden of sin, but Himself bearing it for us, taking it upon Himself.» The Pope emphasized responsibility as a key element of the path to peace: «If each of us — at all levels — instead of blaming others, would first recognize our own faults and ask God’s forgiveness for them, and at the same time put ourselves in the place of those who suffer, show solidarity with the weakest and most oppressed, then the world would change».

The Holy Father sent sincere parental congratulations to Christians, especially those living in the Middle East, and offered prayers for justice, peace and stability for Lebanon, Palestine, Israel and Syria. He also called for the entire European continent to be entrusted to the «Prince of Peace,» recalling his Christian roots and calling for solidarity and hospitality to those in need. In Bethlehem, he asked for peace and consolation for the victims of all ongoing wars, especially the forgotten ones, as well as for those suffering from injustice, political instability, religious persecution and terrorism. Special attention was given to brothers and sisters in Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Pope did not ignore the suffering of the peoples of Asia, wished stability to Latin America, called for reconciliation between Thailand and Cambodia, and expressed sympathy for the people of South Asia and Oceania affected by natural disasters. In concluding his message, the Pontiff reminded, «Christ, our hope, will always remain with us! He is the Door always open… The Nativity of the Lord is the Nativity of Peace.»

Following the address, the Pontiff proclaimed holiday wishes in ten languages, including Italian, French, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Latin, Polish and Chinese. It is noted that such wishes, including «Christ is born» in Ukrainian, have been heard from the lips of Benedict XVI since 2012. The event ended with the prayer «Angel of the Lord» and the traditional solemn blessing Urbi et Orbi, giving the opportunity to receive a full indulgence.

We shall remind you that the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) Sviatoslav Shevchuk on December 21, 2025 criticized the peace plan discussed by diplomats of the United States, Ukraine and Russia, calling it «so-called». In his video message, he emphasized the ongoing Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities and called on the international community to stand in solidarity with Ukraine, insisting on the need to create conditions for genuine peace, not just signing a document.