“Let’s reduce the level of Christmas spending a bit,” the pope said. “Let’s have a simpler Christmas with more modest gifts. Let’s send what we save to the people of Ukraine, who are suffering so much.”

The pope started crying and had to pause for a moment after he prayed, “Immaculate Virgin, today I would have liked to bring you the thanksgiving of the Ukrainian people for the peace we have long asked the Lord for.”

As the pope’s step faltered, his cries for peace increased, although not without controversy and criticism.

On this episode of “Inside the Vatican,” veteran Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell and host Colleen Dulle analyze the pope’s comments on two Russian minority groups and give the story behind America's exclusive interview with Pope Francis.

Pope Francis called for overcoming polarization in the life of the Catholic Church in an exclusive interview with America magazine.

Pope Francis sits down with America for an exclusive interview on polarization, racism, Ukraine, Vatican-China relations and church teaching on the ordination of women.