Pope Francis sees "encouraging signals" in the Ukrainian settlement process and hopes that the conflict will end in 2024. Speaking to diplomats accredited to the Holy See, the pontiff called for dialogue "with everyone".
The 88-year-old pontiff greeted the ambassadors, then, citing a cold, handed over the text of the message to be read by an aide.
"I hope that in 2025 the entire international community will do everything necessary to end the bloody war that has been going on in Ukraine for almost three years and has caused huge casualties, including civilians," Francis said.
According to him, "certain encouraging signs have appeared on the horizon", but there is still a lot to be done to "create the conditions for achieving a just and lasting peace".
