Pope urges Russia, Ukraine to find 'courage' for direct talks

Pope Leo XIV on Thursday urged Russia and Ukraine to find the "courage" for "sincere, direct and respectful dialogue", following weeks of intense international diplomacy to end the nearly four-year war.

"May the parties involved, with the support and commitment of the international community, find the courage to engage in sincere, direct and respectful dialogue," Leo said in a Christmas blessing.

In recent weeks, Russian and Ukrainian officials have spoken separately to US negotiators about proposals to end the conflict started by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.