Pope Francis urged in his Christmas message for the "weapons to fall silent" in Ukraine.

Pope Francis called for a ceasefire in Ukraine and for peaceful negotiations.

May the weapons fall silent in Ukraine! May there be enough courage to open the doors for negotiations and gestures of dialogue and meetings to achieve a just and lasting peace.

The Pope also called for a ceasefire in the Middle East, the release of hostages, and assistance to populations suffering from hunger and war.

He drew attention to the situation of Christian communities in Palestine, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, calling for unity, dialogue, and peace in these regions.

Pope Francis wished all believers a peaceful and holy Christmas.

Ukrainian artist Yama Targonia presented Pope Francis with a blue and yellow dove of peace, symbolizing hope for the end of the war in Ukraine. This dove of peace was made from fragments of stained glass from the Saint Nicholas church in Kyiv, which was damaged in the Russian attack.

The "Glavkom" reported that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky also addressed Ukrainians with Christmas greetings.

The President of Ukraine held a phone conversation with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, emphasizing the importance of spiritual support and prayer for Ukraine.