Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on May 11, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 23, 2026
Add as preferred source on GooglePope Leo XIV calls for peace in Ukraine and Gaza, urging global powers to end conflicts in his first Sunday address.
By Joshua McElwee and Philip Pullella
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -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.
The new pope, elected on May 8, called for an "authentic and lasting peace" in Ukraine and a ceasefire in Gaza and release of all Israeli hostages.
Leo also welcomed the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, 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 the Second World War, which killed some 60 million people.
Leo said today's world was living through "the dramatic scenario of a Third World War being fought piecemeal," again repeating a phrase coined by Francis.
The new pope said he carries in his heart the "suffering of the beloved people of Ukraine." He appealed for negotiations to reach an "authentic, just and lasting peace."
He also said he was "profoundly saddened" by the war in Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian aid and release of the remaining hostages held by the militant group Hamas.
Leo said he was glad to hear of the recent India-Pakistan ceasefire and hoped negotiations would lead to a lasting accord between the nuclear armed neighbors.
He added: "But there are so many other conflicts in the world!"
(Reporting by Joshua McElwee, editing by Alvise Armellini)
Pope Leo XIV's appeal for global peace and end to conflicts, focusing on Ukraine and Gaza.
He called for an 'authentic, just and lasting peace' in Ukraine.
He urged for an immediate ceasefire and release of hostages in Gaza.
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