Pope Leo XIV greets the crowd after the Regina Caeli prayer from the main balcony of the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, May 11, 2025. (Credit: Alberto Pizzoli / AFP)
Pope Leo XIV on Sunday called on the “powerful of this world” to end wars, particularly in Ukraine and Gaza, during a speech following his first Sunday prayer as Supreme Pontiff, delivered before tens of thousands of people.
“In the face of today’s tragic scenario of a Third World War in pieces, as Pope Francis has repeatedly said, I too appeal to the powerful of this world, echoing this ever-relevant call: never again war!” the Pope declared.
“I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people. Everything must be done to achieve an authentic, just, and lasting peace as soon as possible,” he added, advocating for “the release of all prisoners and the return of children to their families.”
Expressing that he was “deeply saddened by what is happening in the Gaza Strip,” the Pope called for an “immediate end to hostilities, the delivery of humanitarian aid to the exhausted civilian population, and the release of all hostages.”
“On the other hand,” he said, “I welcomed with satisfaction the announcement of the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, and I hope that through upcoming talks, a lasting agreement can be quickly reached.”
Humanitarian convoy reaches Rmeish, Ain Ibl, Dibil despite obstacles
