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9h ago

Pope Leo Calls for Global Peace in First Sunday Blessing

The first U.S.-born pope emphasizes peace in Ukraine and Gaza, invokes Pope Francis's legacy, and highlights the Church's moral role in modern challenges.

GENAZZANO – ROME, ITALY – MAY 10: (EDITOR NOTE: STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY – NO MERCHANDISING). Pope Leo XIV (formerly Robert Francis Prevost) pays a visit to the Shrine of the Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano, just outside Rome on May 10, 2025 in Genazzano Rome, Italy. For his first trip outside the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV chose to visit the Shrine of the Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano, just outside Rome. Pope Leo visited the shrine, which has been run by the Augustinians since 1200, at around 4pm for a private visit. (Photo by Francesco Sforza Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)
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A banner with the image of the recently elected Pope Leo XIV adorns the front of Chiclayo City Hall on May 9, 2025 in Chiclayo, Peru.
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Overview

  • Pope Leo XIV, elected on May 8, 2025, delivered his first Sunday blessing from St. Peter's Basilica to a crowd of tens of thousands.
  • In a call for peace, he urged for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and humanitarian aid, while advocating for a just resolution in Ukraine's conflict.
  • The new pontiff reiterated Pope Francis's message of 'no more war,' describing the current global conflicts as a 'third world war in pieces.'
  • Leo XIV sang parts of the Regina Caeli prayer, a symbolic gesture reflecting unity and tradition, and celebrated Mother's Day by honoring mothers worldwide.
  • The pope continues to prepare for his formal installation on May 18, signaling a commitment to social justice, dialogue, and addressing modern challenges like artificial intelligence.