Pope urges Christian leaders to double efforts for peace talks in Ukraine

"Stop the War" poster. Photo: Vatican News

On February 2, 2025, after reciting the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis once again called for the protection of children in conflict zones. He emphasized the importance of restoring peace in a world devastated by wars, Vatican News reports.

The Pope’s appeal came on the eve of an international summit on children's rights being held in the Vatican, focused on the theme "To Love and Protect". The Bishop of Rome stressed that this gathering represents a unique opportunity to draw global attention to the most pressing issues concerning children’s lives.

The Pope once again reminded that war destroys, devastates, takes human toll, and leads to a disregard for life itself, adding that "war is always a defeat."

"Once again, I say 'no' to war," Pope Francis declared, urging world leaders to intensify diplomatic efforts to end armed conflicts. "In this jubilee year, I once again appeal, especially to Christian leaders, to make every effort toward negotiations to bring an end to all ongoing conflicts. Let us pray for peace in suffering Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and North Kivu."

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Pope Francis called on Christians to establish a unified date for celebrating Easter.

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