The Pope also addressed the war in Ukraine, calling for the “sound of arms to be silenced in war-torn Ukraine”

He made the remarks a day after the start of Roman Catholic Church’s Holy Year, known as a Jubilee, which takes place every quarter century. On Tuesday evening, Francis opened the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica so that the first pilgrims could go through. Millions more are expected to follow over the year.

Pope Francis in his Christmas message on Wednesday called for talks between Ukraine and Russia to end the war that followed Moscow's full-scale invasion two years ago and has killed tens of thousands.

The pope invoked the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, which he opened on Christmas Eve to launch the 2025 Jubilee, as representing God’s mercy.

The pope inaugurated the Catholic Church's historic 2025 Jubilee of "Hope" on Christmas Eve at the Vatican in traditional ceremonies before he addressed thousands of Catholic faithful.

Pope Francis called for arms to be silenced in war-torn Ukraine and in the Middle East, singling out Christian communities in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Pope Francis appealed for a cease-fire in Gaza, as he called for a global cessation of violence and peace in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan,

Pope Francis called for an end to global wars and divisiveness in his annual Christmas Day message, given Wednesday. “This Christmas, at the beginning of the Jubilee Year, I invite every

Pope Francis opened the "Holy Door" of St Peter's Basilica on Christmas Eve on Tuesday, launching the Jubilee year of Catholic celebrations set to draw more than 30 million pilgrims to Rome.Pope Francis then presided over the Christmas Eve mass in St Peter's,