The Pope's Christmas message is 'peace'...call for negotiations to end the war

Pope Francis has issued a Christmas message on the theme of "peace," calling for negotiations to end the war around the world.

On the 25th local time, the Pope delivered an official Christmas message in front of a crowd of thousands gathered at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

"I hope the sound of weapons will be quiet in war-torn Ukraine, and there will be the audacity to open the door to negotiations to talk and meet for a just and lasting peace," the pope said.

Israel and Palestinian militant Hamas have also prayed for peace throughout the Middle East, saying the humanitarian situation in Gaza is very serious.

At the same time, he also mentioned Sudan, Lebanon, Mali, and Haiti, stressing that various conflicts must end.

"It should be time for all individuals and all nations to become pilgrims of hope, silence the sound of arms and overcome division," the pope said in a message to mark Catholic jubilee on Christmas Eve.