Pope calls for peace in Ukraine and respect for international humanitarian law

During the traditional annual meeting with the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See on January 9, 2026, Pope Leo made a strong call for an immediate ceasefire and the achievement of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. According to Vatican News, the Pontiff strongly condemned the bombing of civilian infrastructure and emphasized the indispensable importance of respecting international humanitarian law.

Addressing the diplomats, the head of the Vatican devoted his speech to a review of the international panorama and the challenges facing the world community. He noted that “pride overshadows action,” and it is no coincidence that “pride is always at the root of every conflict.” As the Pope wrote in his message for the World Day of Peace, “it is a question of a loss of realism, a commitment to a partial and distorted vision of reality, under the sign of pessimism and fear,” which paves the way for “the logic of war, which is the culprit of every war.”

“We see this in many contexts, starting with the war that continues in Ukraine and the suffering inflicted on civilians,” Pope Leo said. In the face of this tragic situation, the Holy See strongly emphasizes the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and dialogue stimulated by a sincere search for paths leading to peace. “I make an urgent appeal to the international community not to abandon its commitment to seek a just and lasting solution that protects the most vulnerable and supports the affected populations. I also emphasize the full readiness of the Holy See to support any initiative that promotes peace and harmony,” Pope Leo said.

In his nearly hour-long speech, the head of the Catholic Church also focused on the importance of international humanitarian law, the observance of which, he said, should not “depend on circumstances and on military or strategic interests.” “Humanitarian law, in addition to guaranteeing a minimum of humanity in conditions of war, is an obligation that States have undertaken. It must always prevail over the priorities of belligerents in order to mitigate the tragic consequences of war, including in terms of reconstruction. We must not forget that the destruction of hospitals, energy infrastructure, housing and places necessary for daily life is a serious violation of international humanitarian law, ” Pope Leo emphasized.

The Pontiff added that “the Holy See always condemns any form of violence against civilians and military operations initiated indiscriminately, and calls on international cooperation to remember that the principles of inviolability of human dignity and sanctity of life should always have more weight than any national interests.”

We will remind, 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.