Pope Francis calls for ceasefire on all war fronts in pre-Christmas prayers at Vatican

Pope Francis has called for a ceasefire on all war fronts in his Sunday Angelus prayer ahead of Christmas, condemning the "cruelty" of bombing schools and hospitals in Ukraine and Gaza.

"Let the weapons fall silent and let the Christmas carols ring out," Francis said, delivering his Sunday blessing from his Santa Marta residence due to a cold and as a precaution ahead of a busy Christmas period.

"Let us pray that at Christmas there will be a ceasefire on all war fronts, in Ukraine, in the Holy Land, throughout the Middle East and throughout the world."

Francis recalled the "battered Ukraine" that continues to be hit by attacks on cities, "which sometimes damage schools, hospitals and churches."

Ukrainians will mark three years of war in the country in February.

He also said he was thinking of Gaza and "of such cruelty, to the machine-gunning of children, to the bombing of schools and hospitals. How much cruelty."

Francis also criticised Israel's actions in Gaza and said that his envoy had been unable to enter the territory because of Israeli bombing.

On Sunday, Israeli authorities on Sunday allowed Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the leader of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, to enter Gaza and celebrate a pre-Christmas Mass with members of the territory's small Christian community.

Israel says it has made efforts to spare civilians and is only at war with the militant group Hamas after its incursion into Israel last October which saw around 1,200 people killed and 250 others taken as hostages back to Gaza.

The Vatican cited the cold temperatures outside and Francis’ strenuous week ahead in deciding to deliver his Sunday blessing indoors.

The pontiff recently turned 88.

On Tuesday the Pope is due to inaugurate his big Holy Year and preside over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations in St. Peter's Basilica.

And on Thursday, he is scheduled to travel to Rome’s main prison to inaugurate the Jubilee there.

Francis has long suffered from bouts of bronchitis, especially in winter.

In 2023, he was hospitalised and receives intravenous antibiotics.

He had part of one lung removed as a young man and frequently appears out of breath, especially after walking or exerting himself.