Pope makes statement on ending war in Ukraine

Speaking to the faithful in St. Peter's Square on Sunday after the Angelus prayer, Pope Leo XIV urged people to pray for peace in the world, especially in Ukraine, the Middle East, and other regions where war claims lives every day and destroys human destinies.

Addressing Ukraine specifically, the pontiff emphasized that the country continues to face relentless attacks, leaving civilians in a humanitarian crisis, particularly amid the winter cold.

"I follow what is happening with sorrow, I am close to those who suffer, and I pray for them," the Pope said.

He stressed that the prolonged conflict is having increasingly severe consequences for civilians, deepening divisions between peoples, and pushing the prospect of a just and lasting peace further away.

"I urge everyone to intensify their efforts to end the war," Leo XIV emphasized.

The Pope also addressed members of Catholic Action youth who were present in St. Peter's Square. He thanked them for the Caravan for Peace initiative and underscored the importance of cooperation between people and communities despite their differences.

The pontiff urged young people to be builders of peace in their daily lives—at home, at school, in sports, and in society—reminding them that evil can be overcome only with good, not with violence, neither in words nor in actions.

On January 11, Pope Leo XIV called on Russia to halt strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, stressing the serious humanitarian consequences for civilians.

The pontiff expressed solidarity with Ukraine following another wave of massive attacks on energy facilities and urged the faithful to pray for a just and lasting peace for the Ukrainian people, who are enduring severe trials.

According to the Pope, he follows reports of new attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, with deep sorrow. Such attacks lead to the deaths and injuries of civilians, including children.