- He urged that the desire for reconciliation must take root in people’s hearts and be reflected in concrete
- Russia currently controls nearly 20 percent of Ukrainian territory and continues to advance
- the United States has been pressing both Moscow and Kyiv to find a negotiated settlement
Pope Leo XIV has described peace in Ukraine as an “urgent necessity” as the country approaches the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Speaking during his customary Sunday address at St Peter’s Square, Eko Hot Blog reports the American-born pontiff stressed that the need for peace cannot be delayed.
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He urged that the desire for reconciliation must take root in people’s hearts and be reflected in concrete, responsible actions.
Renewing his appeal, the Pope called for an immediate halt to hostilities. He pleaded for an end to bombings, a swift ceasefire, and stronger diplomatic engagement to pave the way toward lasting peace.
Ukraine will on February 24 mark four years since Russia launched its invasion in 2022, a conflict that has devastated cities, displaced millions of civilians, and resulted in heavy casualties on both sides.
Russia currently controls nearly 20 percent of Ukrainian territory and continues to advance, particularly in the eastern Donbas region, despite sustaining significant losses and facing repeated Ukrainian strikes on supply routes.
Meanwhile, the United States has been pressing both Moscow and Kyiv to find a negotiated settlement, facilitating several rounds of discussions in recent weeks, though no major breakthrough has yet been achieved.
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