In this year's Christmas message, Pope Francis asked for peace for Ukraine. This was reported by Vatican News.


"With my eyes fixed on the baby Jesus, I ask for peace for Ukraine. Let us renew our spiritual and human closeness with its suffering people, so that through the support of each of us they may feel the concreteness of God's love," the Pope called, addressing the faithful from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.


On Christmas Day, tens of thousands of pilgrims gathered in the square in front of the basilica, and Ukrainian flags stood out among the flags.


At noon, the Bishop of Rome appeared on the central balcony, accompanied by Cardinals James Harvey and José Tolentino de Mendonço. Hymns of the Holy See and Italy were sung, and the Pope delivered his message to Rome and the world.


The Pope expressed his wishes for peace for Israel, Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and expressed hope for the day of final peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.


He also mentioned the tensions in the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, Sudan, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan, and called for the resolution of conflicts in these regions.


In addition, the Pope expressed hope for the restoration of fraternal ties on the Korean peninsula and the opening of paths of dialogue and reconciliation.