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Pope Leo XIV appealed for “no more war” in a message to world powers during his first Sunday address at the Vatican.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on current conflicts, the newly selected pontiff called for a “lasting peace” in the war in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and welcomed Saturday’s agreement to end recent hostilities between India and Pakistan.<\/p>\n
He said he was “deeply hurt” by events in Gaza, expressed hope for a “lasting accord” between India and Pakistan, and wished for a “authentic, true and lasting peace” in Ukraine.<\/p>\n
The Pope also recited the Regina Caeli prayer, in honour of the Virgin Mary, to the crowd in St Peter’s Square.<\/p>\n
Pope Leo was chosen as the new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday following the death of his predecessor, Pope Francis, and a two-day conclave in Vatican City.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, he visited a shrine outside Rome before praying at Francis’ tomb inside the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.<\/p>\n
Pope Leo will be formally inaugurated at a mass in St Peter’s Square next week on 18 May.<\/p>\n
Three years ago, as Bishop Robert Prevost, he denounced Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine as an imperialist war and condemned crimes against humanity he said were being committed there.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, he restricted himself to echoing his predecessor, Francis, in calling for peace.<\/p>\n
“I would also like to address the powerful people of the world, repeating the always current call: ‘no more war’,” he told the crowd from the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica.<\/p>\n
“The immense tragedy of the Second World War ended 80 years ago…now we’re facing the tragedy of a third world war in pieces.”<\/p>\n
The pontiff continued: “I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people.<\/p>\n
“May whatever is possible be done to reach an authentic, true and lasting peace as quickly as possible. May all the prisoners be freed. May children return to their families.<\/p>\n
“And I am deeply hurt by what is happening in the Gaza Strip.<\/p>\n
“May a ceasefire immediately come into effect. May humanitarian aid be allowed into the civilian population and may all hostages be freed.”<\/p>\n
He added: “I was happy to hear on the other hand that there was a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, and I hope that through the coming negotiations we might soon come to a lasting accord.”<\/p>\n
His remarks came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin set out competing plans for a peace process<\/a> to bring the three-year invasion of Ukraine to an end.<\/p>\n In the Middle East, Israel has cut off all humanitarian aid entering Gaza and resumed its military offensive<\/a> in the Palestinian territory following the collapse of a two-month ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement.<\/p>\n