Pope Leo XIV on Sunday returned to the balcony where he was presented to the world as the new leader of the Roman Catholic church just days ago, using his first Sunday address to the faithful to call for peace.
“Never again war,” he said to a roar from the massive crowd that had gathered in St. Peter’s Square, an appeal he addressed to the world’s most powerful leaders. He noted that it was almost 80 years to the day that the “immense tragedy” of World War II ended and quoted Pope Francis, his predecessor, who often referred to the current wave of violence globally as “a third world war in pieces.”
Leo called for an “authentic, just and lasting peace” in Ukraine and the freeing of all prisoners in that war. The pope said that children should be returned to their families. Although he did not specify which children he was referring to, many Ukrainian children have been taken to Russia during the war against their family’s wishes.
Leo also made a plea for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and for humanitarian aid to be allowed to be distributed “to the exhausted civilian population” in the territory, as well as the return of the hostages taken in Hamas’ assault on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Leo’s calls for peace in Ukraine and a cease-fire in Gaza echoed themes that Francis spoke about regularly in his Sunday addresses.
He sent a special greeting to “all mothers” as families celebrated Mother’s Day in Italy, the United States and some other countries.
Sunday also marked the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, he noted. Leo said he prayed along with the faithful that more Catholics take up vocations to the priesthood and religious orders. “The Church has such a great need for them!” he said. The number of people joining the priesthood and religious orders has been declining in many countries.
Candice Dias from California, was in the square to hear the pope deliver his first traditional Sunday blessing at noon local time. “He seems to be very down to earth,” she said. “He’s humble.”
Leo has been busy since he became pope. On Friday, he celebrated his first Mass in the Sistine Chapel as pontiff with the cardinals who had elected him the previous day. In his homily, he pledged to align himself with “ordinary people” and not with the rich and powerful.
The pope met with the cardinals again on Saturday, saying he would continue the work of Francis in steering the church in a more missionary direction, greater cooperation among church leaders and a closeness to marginalized people.
Ms. Dias added that now that the conclave that elected him pope was over, she hoped her tour of the Vatican, scheduled for Monday, would include the Sistine Chapel. The chapel had been closed to the public even before the conclave began to prepare it for the vote but is set to reopen on Monday.
Elisabetta Povoledo is a Times reporter based in Rome, covering Italy, the Vatican and the culture of the region. She has been a journalist for 35 years.
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