Pope Calls for Peace in Ukraine and Gaza

Pope Leo XIV called for a genuine and just peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, during his first Sunday noon blessing as pontiff. The ceremony featured some symbolic gestures suggesting a message of unity in a polarized Catholic Church.

“I too address the world's great powers by repeating the ever-present call ‘never again war,’” Leo said from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to an estimated 100,000 people below.

Pope Leo XIV was picking up the papal tradition of offering a Sunday blessing at noon, but with several twists. He went to the very center of the square and the heart of the church, singing the Regina Caeli prayer, a Latin prayer said during the Easter season which recent popes would usually just recite.

Leo quoted Pope Francis in denouncing the number of conflicts ravaging the globe today, saying it was a “third world war in pieces.”

‘Beloved Ukrainian people’

“I carry in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people," he said. “Let everything possible be done to achieve genuine, just and lasting peace as soon as possible.”

He called for the release of war prisoners and the return of Ukrainian children to their families, and welcomed the ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

He also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and for humanitarian relief to be provided to the “exhausted civilian population and all hostages be freed.”

Leo also noted that Sunday was Mother’s Day in many countries and wished all mothers, “including those in heaven” a Happy Mother’s Day.

The crowd erupted in cheers and music as the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica tolled.

Angela Gentile of Bari said she was happy Leo came to the central balcony of the basilica, so the crowd could see him face-to-face. “What’s good for the Holy Spirit works for me,” she said. “I have trust.”

More than 50 pilgrims from Houston, Texas, were in the square too, waving three large American flags. They were in Rome on a pre-planned Holy Year pilgrimage and said they were proud to be part of this historic occasion.

“Words cannot express my admiration and gratitude to God,” said the Rev. Dominic Nguyen, who led the Vietnamese American group. He said he hoped the pope would be happy to see the Stars and Stripes but also Peruvian flags and all other countries, showing the universality of the church.