He made the remarks a day after the start of the Roman Catholic Church’s Holy Year, known as a Jubilee, which takes place every quarter century. On Tuesday evening, Francis opened the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica so that the first pilgrims could go through. Millions more are expected to follow over the year.

Pope Francis in his Christmas message called for talks between Ukraine and Russia to end the war that followed Moscow's full-scale invasion two years ago.

Pope Francis has issued an urgent appeal for peace during his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" address on Christmas Day, calling on "all people, all peoples and nations" to "silence the weapons and overcome divisions.