Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful plea for peace during his first Sunday address as head of the Catholic Church, urging an end to global conflict and calling on world leaders to pursue dialogue over war.
Greeting tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the Chicago-born pontiff—formerly Robert Francis Prevost—addressed the crowd from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on May 11. “Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!” he began, receiving thunderous applause, flag-waving, and chants of joy from pilgrims around the world.
Reflecting on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Pope Leo echoed the words of his predecessor, Pope Francis, in lamenting the state of ongoing global unrest. “In today’s dramatic scenario of a third world war fought in fragments, I too make the urgent appeal: No more war!” he declared, calling for the powerful of the world to embrace peace.
The pope emphasized the need for a “genuine, just, and lasting peace” in Ukraine and expressed deep sorrow over the suffering in Gaza. “Humanitarian aid must reach the exhausted civilian population, and all hostages must be released,” he said, referring to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The appearance marked the new pontiff’s second official public engagement since being elected as the 267th pope during a secret conclave. At 69, Pope Leo XIV has been tasked with reviving the global Church, healing internal divisions, and guiding Catholics through an era of political, environmental, and spiritual crises.
A former missionary in Peru, Leo has long been recognized for his pastoral humility and deep commitment to marginalized communities. In a Saturday meeting with cardinals, he described himself as “a humble servant of God, and nothing more than this,” and as “an unworthy successor” to St. Peter.
The energy in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday was electric, with youth groups, clergy, and pilgrims from across continents playing music, waving banners, and singing hymns in celebration of the new pope.
Among the faithful was 59-year-old Alejandrina Espinosa of Peru’s Quechua community, who wept upon hearing of Leo’s election.
“He stole our hearts because he awakened Christianity,” she said. “He’s turned his mission toward the forgotten. I pray this pope can unite all religions to save humanity, because we are living through a crisis. We are killing each other.”
