Pope Leo's remarks were made at the Castel Gandolfo residence near Rome, where he received reporters ahead of the important Christmas holiday and the midnight mass held in St. Peter's Basilica.
"I renew my appeal to all people of good will to respect a day of peace - at least on the day of the birth of our Savior," the Pope said.
He then chose to criticize Moscow and the Russian invasion force, which had previously opposed a ceasefire on Christmas Day, citing that Ukraine would use the day to strengthen its military.
Among the things that cause me great sadness is the fact that Russia has apparently rejected proposals for a ceasefire.
The Pope has previously met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. On Tuesday, he was asked if he was prepared to accept Zelensky's invitation to visit Ukraine:
"I hope so," Leo replied, but then emphasized that it was difficult to say when such a visit could take place.
Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, was elected pope on May 8 of this year, succeeding Francis. He took the papacy ten days later. Christmas is his first major religious holiday as pope.
