Pope Leo hopes for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine, during Sunday prayer

During his Angelus prayer on Sunday (January 11) Pope Leo called for 'peace and dialogue' in the Middle East and renewed his appeal for the end to violence in Ukraine.

Pope's message comes amid unrest in the Middle East with Iran's authorities facing some of the biggest anti-government demonstrations in years.

Protests have spread across Iran since December 28, beginning in response to soaring inflation, and quickly turning political with protesters demanding an end to clerical rule.

The pontiff hoped in his Sunday prayer that "dialogue and peace will be patiently cultivated".

Leo also remembered the strikes against Ukraine that took place earlier this week and said that he prays for those who are suffering.

As a result of the attack, more than 1,000 apartment buildings in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv are still without heating, local authorities said on Sunday.

On Friday, a missile strike on Kyiv left virtually the entire city without power and heating amid a sharp cold snap, and it was not until Sunday that authorities restored water supplies and partially restored electricity and heating.

Production: Claudia Chieppa/Reuters