Pope Leo XIV calls for peace in Ukraine and Gaza, saying "no more war": NPR

Pope Leo XIV blesses his blessings from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after being elected on Sunday, May 11, 2025 in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. Andrew Medichini/ap Closed subtitles

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Andrew Medichini/ap

Vatican City - Pope Leo XIV calls for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, and an immediate ceasefire at the Gaza site and release hostages and humanitarian aid in his first Sunday noon as Pontiff's blessing.

"I also resolve the great power of the world by repeating the ever-existing 'Never War'," said Leo from Loggia of St. Peter's Basilica.

He was the first time he appeared on Thursday night since he had a brilliant election to the Pope, which was the first time Leo returned to Loggia. Then he also conveyed a message of peace.

Leo picked out the pope tradition of offering blessings at noon, but with several twists and turns. Although his predecessor conveyed greetings from the studio windows of the Apostles' Palace, Leo went to the center of the square and the heart of the cathedral.

Latin Prayer said during Easter season that he also provides novelty by singing Regina Caeli's prayer.

He wore the pope's simple white cassava (not the formal red cape he wore on Thursday night) and recovered from wearing his silver chest two crosses. He dressed in a more gorgeous man, which contained the relics of St. Augustine and his mother, St. Monica, which was given to him by his Augustine religious order.

Leo, citing Pope Francis, condemned the number of conflicts that have ravaged the world today, calling it "a fragment of World War III."

“I am filled with the pain of my beloved Ukrainian people,” he said. “Let all possible achieve true, just and lasting peace as soon as possible.”

He called for the release of prisoners of war and Ukrainian children to return to his family and welcomed a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

He also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and provide humanitarian relief to “the release of tired civilians and all hostages”.

Leo also pointed out that Sunday is Mother's Day in many countries and hopes that all mothers "include" is a happy Mother's Day.

As the bells of St. Peter's Basilica rang, the crowd was filled with parade bands of special Jubilee weekends bursting out in cheers and music. Italian authorities estimate 100,000 people are in the square.

Earlier Sunday, Leo and his Augustine ordered Alejandro to celebrate a private mass near St. Peter's tomb. The Mass takes place in the grottoes below St. Peter’s Basilica, the traditional cemetery of St. Peter, the apostle, considered the first pope.

Areas usually open to the public also contain the tombs of the past pope, including Pope Benedict XVI.

Leo prayed in front of the tomb of Pope Francis opposite Major St. Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday.

The 69-year-old Chicago preacher was elected the 267th Pope on Thursday after Francis passed away on April 21.