World Leaders Must Broker Christmas Peace, Pope Francis Urges During Angelus

The Pontiff specifically called for continued prayers for peace in ‘tormented Ukraine, in the Middle East — Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, and now Syria — in Myanmar, in Sudan, and wherever people suffer from war and violence.’

Pope Francis prays the Angelus on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8, 2024.
Pope Francis prays the Angelus on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8, 2024. (photo: Daniel Ibáñez / EWTN News)

Pope Francis issued a heartfelt plea for peace during the Sunday Angelus on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, urging international leaders to broker cease-fires in conflict zones by Christmas.

“I appeal to governments and the international community that a cease-fire may be reached on all war fronts by the Christmas celebrations,” the Pope said on Sunday from the window of the Apostolic Palace, addressing pilgrims and visitors gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

The Pontiff specifically called for continued prayers for peace in “tormented Ukraine, in the Middle East — Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, and now Syria — in Myanmar, in Sudan, and wherever people suffer from war and violence.”


A Call to Reflect on Mary

Pope Francis spoke about the Annunciation during his catechetical reflection on this Marian feast day, describing it as “one of the most important and beautiful moments in the history of humanity.”

Drawing a parallel to sacred art, he explained: “Just as in the scene of the creation of Adam painted by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel, where the finger of the Heavenly Father touches the finger of man, here too, the human and divine encounter each other.”

The Pope encouraged everyone to “open our hearts and minds to the Lord Jesus, born of Mary Immaculate” as the Church prepares for Jubilee 2025, recommending confession as “the sacrament that can really help us open our hearts to the Lord, who always, always forgives us.”


Christmas Tree and Nativity at the Vatican

St. Peter’s Square is adorned with its annual Christmas decorations, including a towering, nearly-100-foot spruce tree from Ledro, Italy, and a Nativity scene from the town of Grado that incorporates elements of the Venetian lagoon’s traditional fishermen’s huts.

The Nativity scene and a towering spruce tree adorn St. Peter’s Square for the Christmas season, Dec. 8, 2024. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

The Nativity scene and a towering spruce tree adorn St. Peter’s Square for the Christmas season, Dec. 8, 2024. | Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

These symbols of the season were officially illuminated during a ceremony on Saturday evening, presided over by Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, president of the Governorate of Vatican City State.

According to recent Vatican custom, the Christmas tree and a large Nativity scene displayed beside it will remain in St. Peter’s Square through Jan. 12, 2025, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Pope Francis waves from a balcony at Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Sunday, March 23, 2025, following weeks of hospitalization for bilateral pneumonia.

Pope Francis Returns to the Vatican

Pope Francis returned to the Vatican last Sunday and is expected now to face two months of rest and recovery. Is this a new phase in his pontificate? This week on Register Radio, we talk to Frank Rocca, EWTN News Senior Vatican Analyst. And, as we move closer to Holy Week, the Register has taken a long look at the “Art of Holy Week.” We are joined by Dominican Sister Mary Madeline Todd from Aquinas College and a contributor to our coverage.