Dec. 19,—A group of political and social leaders from around the world today issued an open letter to Pope Francis, supporting the Pope’s offer to use the venue of the Vatican for immediate negotiations between Russia and Ukraine for a diplomatic settlement of the war in Ukraine. Coming off an organizing process among current and former legislators that was initiated two months ago by the Schiller Institute, the open letter is part of a growing chorus of voices internationally urging an immediate ceasefire, a Christmas Truce for all, as a first step towards a full, negotiated peace.
