Pope Leo XIV Delivered His First Sunday Message

• 11.05.2025, 15:27

The pontiff addressed the faithful from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Pope Leo XIV delivered his first Sunday message at the Vatican.

The Guardian reports The Guardian.

The new pope addressed the faithful from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, as is tradition. It was his first Sunday message since being elected pontiff.

The new pope said he carried in his heart "the suffering of the people of Ukraine close to his heart" and called for negotiations to achieve "a real, just and lasting peace." He continued the tradition of the late Pope Francis, who called for talks between Ukraine and Russia to end the war and repeatedly condemned civilian deaths.

Pope Leo XIV also called for a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of all Israeli hostages. Pope Leo XIV asked states to "fight no more."