On Thursday, while addressing representatives of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, the pontiff mentioned the situation in Ukraine and expressed hope that the war in Ukraine will end this year.
According to Ukrinform, this was reported by Vatican News.
Summarizing the results of 2024 at a traditional meeting with representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, as well as analyzing the current challenges facing the international community, the Pope also mentioned the situation in Ukraine.
“My wish for this year is that the entire international community work first and foremost to put an end to the war that has been bloodying martyred Ukraine for almost three years and has claimed a huge number of victims, including many civilians,” the pontiff said.
He noted that “there are some encouraging signs on the horizon,” while emphasizing the need to work hard to create conditions for just and lasting peace, as well as to “heal the wounds caused by aggression.”
“The diplomacy of hope is also a diplomacy of forgiveness, which, in times of open or latent conflict, can mend relationships broken by hatred and violence, and thus bind the wounds of the too many victims' broken hearts,” His Holiness said.
It is noted that due to a cold, the Pope read only the introduction of the speech, while the rest was read by one of his assistants at the pontiff's request.