Pope Leo XIV has declared that peace in Ukraine is “an urgent necessity,” speaking on Sunday ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“Peace cannot be postponed. It is an urgent necessity that must find space in hearts and be translated into responsible decisions,” the American-born pontiff said during his regular Sunday address to a crowd in St. Peter’s Square.
“I strongly renew my appeal: may the weapons fall silent, may the bombings cease, may a ceasefire be reached without delay, and may dialogue be strengthened to open the way to peace,” he added.
Ukraine will mark four years since Russia’s assault on February 24, 2022, a war that has shattered towns, uprooted millions, and killed large numbers on both sides. Moscow currently occupies close to a fifth of Ukrainian territory and continues to grind forward, especially in the eastern Donbas region, despite heavy losses and repeated Ukrainian strikes on logistics.
The United States has been pushing both sides to end the war, brokering several rounds of talks in recent weeks without a clear breakthrough.
