Pope Leo XIV Urges World Leaders to “Stop the Wars” in First Sunday Address

Pope Leo XIV called on global leaders to end armed conflicts and work toward lasting peace during his first Sunday prayer as head of the Roman Catholic Church, speaking before tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

“Dear brothers and sisters, I wish you a blessed Sunday,” the pope said as he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on May 12 to lead the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer.

After offering prayers to the Virgin Mary, Pope Leo XIV invoked the memory of World War II, which claimed the lives of an estimated 60 million people. “As Pope Francis once said, I repeat a message that remains as urgent as ever: Stop the wars,” he declared.

The newly elected pontiff called for a “true, lasting, and just peace” in Ukraine, expressed “deep sorrow” over the violence in Gaza, and urged an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. “Humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach those who are suffering, and all hostages must be released,” he said.

He also welcomed the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, expressing hope that both sides would build on the momentum to reach a long-term agreement. However, he noted that many other conflicts around the world continue to rage without resolution.

Pope Leo XIV, 69, was elected on May 8 as the 267th pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church — and the first American to ever hold the papacy.

Before becoming pope, he spent much of his ministry in South America. From 2015 to 2023, he served as bishop of Chiclayo in northern Peru. In addition to his American citizenship, he became a naturalized Peruvian citizen in 2015.

Pope Leo XIV’s official inauguration will be held on May 18 in St. Peter’s Square.

(Source: AFP)

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