Vatican City: In his Christmas Urbi et Orbi message, Pope Leo XIV called on the world to see peace not only as a gift from God but also as a responsibility shared by all people.
Speaking as conflicts continue to cause suffering in many parts of the world, Pope renewed his appeal for peace, dialogue, and moral responsibility. He prayed for justice and stability in Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, and Syria, and made a strong appeal for Ukraine, asking that the sound of weapons fall silent and that sincere and respectful dialogue begin with the support of the international community.
Pope also expressed closeness to people living in conflicts that often receive less global attention. He remembered the victims of violence in Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as those affected by injustice, political instability, religious persecution, and terrorism.
Turning to other regions, Pope Leo prayed for Haiti, urging an end to violence and a path toward peace and reconciliation. He also prayed for Myanmar, especially for hope and reconciliation for the younger generation. In Latin America, he encouraged political leaders to choose dialogue for the common good rather than division. He also asked for the renewal of the long standing friendship between Thailand and Cambodia and entrusted the people of South Asia and Oceania to God, noting their suffering due to recent natural disasters and the need for continued assistance.
Reflecting on the meaning of Christmas, the Pope said that true peace comes from the birth of Jesus. He recalled that Christ was born in poverty and rejection, showing closeness to those who are excluded and forgotten. From the very beginning of his life, Pope said, Jesus chose to carry humanity’s burden out of love.
At the same time, Pope Leo reminded the faithful that peace also depends on human action. Quoting Saint Augustine, he said that while God gives peace, human responsibility is essential for it to grow and last.
Pope explained that Christ is peace because he frees humanity from sin and teaches how to overcome conflicts at every level. Without forgiveness in the heart, he warned, it is impossible to become true builders of peace.
He also recalled that Jesus shares in human suffering today, identifying with people in Gaza, Yemen, refugees and migrants, the unemployed, exploited workers, and prisoners living in harsh conditions. He warned against indifference, reminding the world that God is never indifferent to human pain.
As the Jubilee Year comes to an end and the Holy Doors prepare to close, Pope Leo offered a final message of hope. He said that Christ remains always present and open to all, not to condemn the world, but to save it.