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Pope Leo XIV on Sunday returned to the balcony where he was presented to the world as the new leader of the Roman Catholic church just days ago, using his first Sunday address to the faithful to call for peace.<\/p>\n
\u201cNever again war,\u201d he said to a roar from the massive crowd that had gathered in St. Peter\u2019s Square, an appeal he addressed to the world\u2019s most powerful leaders. He noted that it was almost 80 years to the day that the \u201cimmense tragedy\u201d of World War II ended and quoted Pope Francis, his predecessor, who often referred to the current wave of violence globally as \u201ca third world war in pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leo called for an \u201cauthentic, just and lasting peace\u201d in Ukraine and the freeing of all prisoners in that war. The pope said that children should be returned to their families. Although he did not specify which children he was referring to, many Ukrainian children have been taken to Russia<\/a> during the war against their family\u2019s wishes.<\/p>\n Leo also made a plea for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and for humanitarian aid to be allowed to be distributed \u201cto the exhausted civilian population\u201d in the territory, as well as the return of the hostages taken in Hamas\u2019 assault on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Leo\u2019s calls for peace in Ukraine and a cease-fire in Gaza echoed themes that Francis spoke about regularly in his Sunday addresses. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n He sent a special greeting to \u201call mothers\u201d as families celebrated Mother\u2019s Day in Italy, the United States and some other countries.<\/p>\n Sunday also marked the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, he noted. Leo said he prayed along with the faithful that more Catholics take up vocations to the priesthood and religious orders. \u201cThe Church has such a great need for them!\u201d he said. The number of people joining the priesthood and religious orders has been declining<\/a> in many countries<\/a>.<\/p>\n Candice Dias from California, was in the square to hear the pope deliver his first traditional Sunday blessing at noon local time. \u201cHe seems to be very down to earth,\u201d she said. \u201cHe\u2019s humble.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Leo has been busy since he became pope. On Friday, he celebrated his first Mass<\/a> in the Sistine Chapel as pontiff with the cardinals who had elected him the previous day. In his homily, he pledged to align himself with \u201cordinary people\u201d and not with the rich and powerful. <\/p>\n