Pope Francis has called for a “negotiation” to end the war in Ukraine in a Christmas Day message where he appealed for weapons to be laid down in global conflicts and reconciliation between enemies.

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.

Pope Francis’ message came after Russia struck Ukraine on Christmas day, targeting the country’s energy grid and injuring several people across Kyiv and Kharkiv

Pope Francis is expected to address the world's wars and conflicts in his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" message to the faithful spoken from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican at noon on Wednesday,

Pope Francis, celebrating the 12th Christmas of his papacy, led a solemn Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica & opened 2025 Catholic Holy Year.

Pope Francis led the world’s Roman Catholics into Christmas with a solemn Mass on Christmas Eve at St. Peter’s Basilica, marking the 12th Christmas of his pontificate. The Mass also marked the beginning of the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, which the Vatican expects will attract approximately 32 million tourists to Rome.

Christians across the world celebrated Christmas Wednesday, with the mood darkened by wars and a massive Christmas morning attack on Ukraine by Russia and a plane crash in Kazakhstan.

Pope Francis has urged the faithful during the traditional Christmas Mass to bring hope as "pilgrims of light into the darkness of the world." The head of the Catholic Church said in his Christmas Eve sermon at St Peter's Basilica on Tuesday that Christmas,