Headlines
Pope Leo Decries Ramp-Up in Ukraine War, Calls for 'weapons to Fall Silent'
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 19, 2026
1 min readLast updated: April 19, 2026
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At a Mass in Luanda attended by ~100,000 people, Pope Leo XIV condemned the escalation of the Ukraine war and urged ‘weapons to fall silent’ in favor of dialogue. He also welcomed a new ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon as a hopeful sign amid regional turmoil.
Pope Leo Calls for End to Intensified Ukraine War and Urges Dialogue
Pope Leo's Appeal for Peace Amid Global Conflicts
Condemnation of Ukraine War Escalation
LUANDA, April 19 - Pope Leo on Sunday decried the intensification of the war in Ukraine, calling "for the weapons to fall silent and for the path of dialogue to be followed."
Mass Gathering in Angola
The pope made the appeal after a Mass outside Angola's capital Luanda that drew roughly 100,000 people.
Comments on Middle East Ceasefire
Recognition of Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire
The first U.S. pope also praised the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, to end fighting between Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah, as a "reason for hope."
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet and Jane Merriman)
Key Takeaways
- •Pope Leo XIV used his Angola visit to renew his call for an end to conflict in Ukraine, echoing his past appeals that peace depends on dialogue not arms (apnews.com)
- •He voiced particular concern about global conflicts, recalling earlier appeals for ceasefires in the Middle East and Ukraine (vaticannews.va)
- •He praised the recent Israel–Lebanon truce— a tentative 10‑day ceasefire brokered by the U.S.— as a “reason for hope” in a volatile region (apnews.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Pope Leo decries ramp-up in Ukraine war, calls for 'weapons to fall silent'
1What did Pope Leo say about the Ukraine war?
Pope Leo called for the weapons to fall silent and for dialogue to be followed in the intensifying Ukraine conflict.
2Where did Pope Leo make his appeal for Ukraine?
He made the appeal after a Mass outside Angola's capital city, Luanda.
3How many attended Pope Leo's Mass in Angola?
Approximately 100,000 people attended the outdoor Mass.
4What did Pope Leo say about the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire?
He praised the ceasefire as a reason for hope in the region.
