# Pope Francis in his Christmas message called for talks between Ukraine and Russia to end the war that followed Moscow’s full-scale invasion two years ago and has killed tens of thousands. He spoke from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to thousands of people in the square below and appealed for the sound of arms to be silenced in war-torn Ukraine. The 88-year-old Francis, celebrating the 12th Christmas of his pontificate, called for an end to conflicts, political, social or military, in places including Lebanon, Mali, Mozambique, Haiti, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.
Pope Francis calls for talks to end Ukraine war