In his first Christmas address titled Urbi et Orbi, Pope Leo XIV called on the world to embrace responsibility as the surest path to achieving peace, highlighting the suffering of populations affected by wars and humanitarian crises, particularly in Yemen and Gaza, as well as among refugees and migrants.

Speaking from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pope said the Yemeni people are enduring hunger and poverty, reflecting a broader pattern of human suffering across many regions. 

He stressed that genuine peace cannot be realized without tangible solidarity with the vulnerable and oppressed, and without serious engagement in addressing the root causes of conflict and humanitarian distress.

The pontiff’s message resonated with appeals for compassion and collective action, urging nations and individuals alike to confront the challenges of displacement, violence, and deprivation. His words underscored the Vatican’s longstanding call for dialogue, justice, and humanitarian relief as essential foundations for lasting peace.