Pope Leo XIV has appealed to Russia to halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, warning that renewed strikes during winter are causing serious humanitarian harm to civilians as temperatures fall and demand for electricity and heating rises. The appeal was issued on Sunday, 11 January, in a statement published on the Pope’s official account on the social media platform Х. This is reported by The WP Times, citing the Pope’s post. In the message, Pope Leo XIV referred directly to the impact of the attacks on ordinary people during a period of intensifying cold.
He wrote:
“In Ukraine, new serious attacks on energy infrastructure during intensifying cold are inflicting grave harm on the civilian population. I pray for those who are suffering and once again call for an end to the violence and renewed efforts to achieve peace.”
The Vatican has not provided further operational details about the strikes mentioned in the post. However, Pope Leo XIV has consistently focused on the humanitarian consequences of the war, particularly the risks posed to civilians by damage to electricity, heating and water systems.
The Pontiff has repeatedly argued that attacks on civilian infrastructure disproportionately affect vulnerable people, including children, the elderly and hospital patients, especially during winter.
In his first Christmas address in St Peter’s Square in Rome, Pope Leo XIV also called for an end to the fighting, asking that “the roar of weapons should fall silent” and urging both sides to seek “sincere, direct and respectful dialogue” with the support of the international community.
The Vatican has confirmed that three lorries of humanitarian assistance from Pope Leo XIV will be sent to Ukraine. The shipment includes 100,000 portions of instant soup intended for civilians in regions most affected by fighting and by disruptions to electricity, water and heating supplies.
Pope Leo XIV has also said he is willing to visit Ukraine. The Vatican has indicated that security concerns remain the main obstacle, although an organisational plan for a possible visit has already been prepared.
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