In first Sunday message, Pope Leo XIV appeals for ‘no more war’

POPE LEO XIV appealed to the world's major powers for “no more war” in his first Sunday message to crowds in St. Peter's Square since his election as pontiff.

- REUTERS Vatican City, May 11

The new pope, elected on May 8, called for an “authentic and lasting peace” in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and the release of all Israeli hostages held by militant group Hamas.

Speaking in fluent Italian, Leo also welcomed the recent fragile ceasefire between India and Pakistan, negotiated overnight, and said he was praying to God to grant the world the “miracle of peace.”

“No more war!” the pope said, repeating a frequent call of the late Pope Francis and noting the recent 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in which some 60 million people were killed.