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Pope Leo XIV greets pilgrims and visitors in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican as they gather to pray the Angelus, Jan. 25, 2026.
CNS photo/Vatican Media
January 26, 2026
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OSV News photo/Mario Tomassetti, Vatican Media/Jean-Matthieu Gautier, KNA via CPP
Vatican City
Peace is built on respect for all people, Pope Leo XIV said after praying the Angelus with visitors gathered in St. Peter's Square Jan. 25.
The pope called for prayers for peace "in Ukraine, in the Middle East and in every region where, unfortunately, there is fighting going on for interests that are not those of the people."
"Peace is built on respect for peoples!" he said.
Greeting young people from Catholic Action who organized the annual "Caravan of Peace," the pope thanked them for helping "us adults to look at the world from another perspective: that of cooperation between people and among diverse peoples."
"Be peacemakers at home, at school, in sports, everywhere," he told the young people. "Never be violent, neither with words nor with gestures. Never! Evil can only be overcome with good."
Speaking specifically about Ukraine, Pope Leo lamented the "continuous attacks" against the nation, which have left "entire populations exposed to the cold of winter."
"I am following the situation with sorrow, and I am close to and pray for those who suffer," he said.
"The continuation of hostilities, with increasingly serious consequences for civilians, widens the rift between peoples and pushes further back the opportunity for a just and lasting peace," he said, inviting everyone "to intensify their efforts to end this war."
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