Pope Leo Calls for Lasting Peace in First Sunday Address

In his first Sunday address as the newly elected Pope, Pope Leo XIV called for an end to war and appealed to world leaders to strive for “lasting peace” in conflict zones.

Speaking to the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, he specifically called for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

He also welcomed the recent peace agreement between India and Pakistan, highlighting it as a positive step towards resolving tensions.

Pope Leo, who was elected as the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church just days earlier, began his address by reciting the Regina Caeli prayer in honor of the Virgin Mary, adding a spiritual note to his message of hope for peace.

Earlier in the week, the Pope had paid a visit to a shrine outside Rome before praying before the tomb of his late predecessor, Pope Francis, at the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

This moment reflected his respect for the legacy left by Pope Francis, under whom the Church had prioritized social justice, care for migrants, and environmental issues.

In his speech, Pope Leo expressed a desire to continue Pope Francis’ work and promised to uphold the Church’s teachings, particularly in regard to human dignity and justice.

The new pontiff, who chose the name “Leo” after the 19th-century Pope known for his social justice teachings, also acknowledged the changing world, including advancements in artificial intelligence, which he believes the Church must address in defense of human dignity.

At 69, Pope Leo is the first American pope, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, and also holds Peruvian nationality.

As the new leader of the Catholic Church’s 1.4 billion members worldwide, Pope Leo is seen as a moderate figure who seeks unity and continuity for the Church in these challenging times.