The Pope called for peace between warring nations.

On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis spoke in front of the gathered crowds of Vatican City to give his annual Christmas message. The Pope’s annual message is a generally solemn moment, though this year especially, he offered urgings for peace in a particularly troubled time.

“Our time is experiencing a grave famine of peace also in other regions and other theaters of this third world war,” Francis said.

“Let our eyes be filled with the faces of our Ukrainian brothers and sisters who are living this Christmas in the dark and cold far from their homes due to the devastation and destruction caused by 10 months of war,” Francis said. “May the Lord inspire us to offer concrete gestures of solidarity to assist all those who are suffering, and may he enlighten the minds of those who have the power to silence the thunder of weapons and put an immediate end to this senseless war.”

Pope Francis urged those in power to consider what they can do to help their people rather than hoard money and influence for themselves. “We know that every war causes hunger and food is exploited as a weapon, hindering its distribution to people who are already suffering,” he said. “On this day, let us learn from the Prince of Peace, starting with those who hold political responsibilities that they commit themselves to make food solely an instrument of peace.”