Pope Leo XIV leads the weekly Angelus prayer, Vatican, January 11, 2026.
REUTERS/Vatican Media/Matteo Pernaselci
As reported by the Pope’s account on X
Pope Leo XIV drew attention to the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine and urged an end to the violence and renewed efforts to achieve peace. He noted that further strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in the midst of a freezing winter are causing heavy suffering to civilians. The pope announced this on January 11 via the social network X.
“I pray for those who suffer, and once again urge an end to violence and renewed efforts to achieve peace”
– Pope Leo XIV
He stressed that further strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure amid prolonged frosts significantly affect civilian life and hinder people’s access to basic resources.
Regarding Pope Leo XIV’s statements about Ukraine, it is worth recalling his words on December 25 during the traditional Christmas message Urbi et Orbi: the pontiff expressed a plea for peace for the victims of all wars and voiced hope for a truce in Ukraine through diplomatic efforts.
On December 23, he also noted that he was outraged that Russia had not accepted the proposal for a possible truce during the Christmas period. And Leo XIV’s predecessor, Francis, also mentioned Ukraine in his Christmas speeches, urging peace and negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.
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