In his first official Sunday address as pope, Leo XIV used the Regina Coeli prayer from the Vatican balcony to issue an urgent plea for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a renewed global commitment to peace in Ukraine, declaring that “never again war” must become a lived reality rather than an empty slogan, according to Vatican News.
Speaking to thousands in St. Peter’s Square and viewers around the world, the new pontiff demanded the unconditional release of hostages held in Gaza and expressed deep concern for civilians caught in war, describing ongoing conflicts as “deep wounds to the human family” in remarks released by the Holy See Press Office.
Pope Leo invoked the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, calling him “a shepherd of dialogue,” and emphasized that genuine diplomacy—rooted in conscience and compassion—is essential to ending the war in Ukraine, which has now entered its third year, while endorsing humanitarian initiatives led by Caritas Internationalis.
Officials at the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development interpreted the address as a sign that Leo XIV aims to play an active role in international peacemaking, engaging not just through prayer but also through dialogue with global leaders and religious communities.
Analysts from the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences view this message as a continuation of the Vatican’s commitment to nonviolence, but with a firmer, more proactive tone that signals the pope’s intent to shape peace efforts through moral and spiritual leadership on the world stage.
