Pope calls for worldwide ceasefire at Christmas

ROME: Pope Leo XIV has urged "people of goodwill" to implement a 24-hour ceasefire in all wars around the world over Christmas, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

"May there be 24 hours of peace throughout the world," he told reporters late on Tuesday.

Leo, whose papacy began in May, will celebrate his first Christmas Eve Mass later on Wednesday at St Peter's Basilica, where he is expected to speak out against war and violence and recall the suffering of civilians.

On Christmas Day, the pope will deliver the traditional Christmas message in St Peter's Square.

The spiritual leader of about 1.4 billion Catholics will impart the "Urbi et Orbi" ("To the City and the World") blessing, with tens of thousands of worshippers expected to attend.

In his earlier comments on Tuesday evening, the pontiff said Russia's rejection of a brief truce had caused him "great sadness," particularly in light of its recent large-scale attacks on Ukraine.

He also addressed the situation in the Middle East, saying he had spoken with the parish priest in Gaza City.

He said residents there were trying to celebrate Christmas despite extremely precarious conditions.

--BERNAMA-dpa