VATICAN CITY (CHATNEWSTV) — In his Christmas Day “Urbi et Orbi” address on Wednesday, Pope Francis renewed his appeal for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas. He also urged Ukraine and Russia to pursue dialogue to end the war sparked by Moscow’s full-scale invasion two years ago.
Speaking from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Francis called the humanitarian situation in Gaza “extremely grave” and implored leaders to “fling open the doors of dialogue and peace.” His recent criticism of Israel’s military campaign, which he described last week as “cruelty,” elicited a strong reaction from Israel’s Foreign Ministry, which labeled his remarks as “disconnected” from Israel’s “fight against jihadist terrorism.”
“Enough with the double standards and the singling out of the Jewish state and its people,” the ministry said earlier this week.
In his address, Francis also turned attention to Ukraine, urging “the boldness needed to open the door to negotiation” and calling for an end to violence. “May the sound of arms be silenced in war-torn Ukraine!” he said, adding that only “gestures of dialogue and encounter” could achieve lasting peace. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has recently shown an increased openness to negotiations following Donald Trump’s re-election as U.S. president, although he has maintained that Ukraine’s prewar borders must be restored.
Marking the 12th Christmas of his pontificate, the 88-year-old pope called for an end to conflicts worldwide, naming Lebanon, Mali, Mozambique, Haiti, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. He also highlighted the division of Cyprus, advocating for a “mutually agreed solution” to the wall dividing the Mediterranean island since 1974.
Jubilee Year of Peace and Forgiveness
The pope also inaugurated a Holy Year for the global Catholic Church on Christmas Eve. Running through January 6, 2026, the Jubilee is a time for peace, forgiveness, and unity. Francis urged “individuals, peoples, and nations” to become “pilgrims of hope,” seeking to “silence the sound of arms” and overcome divisions.
He underscored the importance of breaking down barriers, saying, “Let us tear down all walls of separation.”
Chrismukkah Convergence
This year, Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, began on Christmas Day, an overlap that has only occurred four times since 1900. Religious leaders have used the occasion to promote interfaith unity, hosting events like a “Chicanukah” celebration in Houston, Texas, where Jewish and Latino communities shared traditions.
While Hanukkah is typically celebratory, rabbis have noted the somber backdrop of ongoing wars in the Middle East and rising antisemitism worldwide. The overlap, driven by the Jewish lunar calendar’s cycles, last occurred in 2005.
As conflicts and divisions persist globally, Pope Francis’ message emphasized hope, dialogue, and the enduring pursuit of peace in a fractured world.
