In Christmas message, pope condemns ‘senseless’ Ukraine war, calls for ‘reconciliation’ in Iran

Pope Francis waves at the end of his weekly general audience at Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican on October 26, 2022. (Vincenzo PINTO / AFP)
Pope Francis waves at the end of his weekly general audience at Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican on October 26, 2022. (Vincenzo PINTO / AFP)

Pope Francis appeals for an end to the “senseless” war in Ukraine, in his traditional Christmas message from St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

In his address from the central balcony of St. Peter’s, he recalls “our Ukrainian brothers and sisters who are experiencing this Christmas in the dark and cold, far from their homes.”

“May the Lord inspire us to offer concrete gestures of solidarity to assist all those who are suffering, and may he enlighten the minds of those who have the power to silence the thunder of weapons and put an immediate end to this senseless war!”

He references numerous countries in difficulty this Christmas, whether due to conflict or another crisis, from Afghanistan to Yemen, Syria, Myanmar, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Lebanon and Haiti.

For the first time, he also calls for “reconciliation” in Iran, rocked by women-led protests for the past three months.

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