Pope appeals for ceasefire 'on all war-fronts' by Christmas

Image by Mohammed al Bardawil on Unsplash

Source: Vatican Media

Pope Francis on Sunday launched a plea directly to political leaders and to the international community that ceasefires may be agreed upon in all countries torn by war before Christmas.

"I appeal to Governments and the International Community, that a ceasefire may be reached on all war fronts by the Christmas celebrations," he said during the Angelus prayer.

"I appeal to Governments and the International Community, that a ceasefire may be reached on all war fronts by the Christmas celebrations."

The Pope's words followed his request that all men and women of goodwill join in prayer for peace in war-torn countries worldwide.

"Let us continue to pray for peace, in tormented Ukraine, in the Middle East - Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, and now Syria - in Myanmar, in Sudan, and wherever people suffer from war and violence," the Pope appealed.

His latest appeal comes as violence continues to rage in Gaza, where more than 40,300 people have been killed since the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and in neighbouring Lebanon where Israeli attacks have also escalated in the past months; as Ukraine recently marked the tragic milestone of 1,000 days from a full-blown Russian invasion of the country; in Myanmar where civil war has been ongoing since a military coup overthrew the government in 2021; in Sudan where fighting between the army and paramilitary rebels has killed over 60,000 people and displaced millions since April 2023.

The Pope also mentioned the volatile situation in Syria where the 14-year conflict has come to a head with the overthrow of President Assad's regime.