In his annual Christmas message delivered on December 24, King Philippe of Belgium turned the spotlight on the plight of children caught in the horrors of war. The monarch drew

inspiration from a poignant letter written by students at the Sancta Mariaschool in Leuven, which addressed fundamental questions about global conflict and the future.

The students, aged 12 and 13, expressed their shock and confusion after seeing an image of a young girl running through a war-torn street, clutching a broken toy. In their letter, they asked the King whether there was still hope for a world where no child suffers from the ravages of war.

King Philippe responded by acknowledging the deep sense of "devastation and helplessness" conveyed by the students. However, he also highlighted the strength of their empathy as a call to action. "Their appeal reminds us of our responsibility. Their compassion must sometimes wake us from our slumbering consciences. We cannot stand idly by as countless violations of international law occur," he declared.

The King reiterated the need for global commitment to uphold international law and protect the most vulnerable, particularly children. He emphasized that while a world free from war and suffering may appear unattainable, it should not deter efforts to strive toward that ideal. “Even if it seems an illusion, we must work tirelessly to make it a reality,” he said. Photo by Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU 2024 from Belgium, Wikimedia commons.