Pope Leo XIV delivers his first Sunday blessing in St Peter's Square

Pope Leo XIV has delivered his first Sunday blessing from the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica.

The new pope lead the Regina Coeli prayer in his second official public appearance since becoming the leader of the Catholic Church.

The noon prayer drew thousands of people anxious for a closer look at the pontiff, born Robert Francis Prevost, who before becoming the first US Pope spent much of his life as a missionary in Peru. 

In his blessing, Pope Leo XIV called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza with the release of hostages and delivery of humanitarian aid.

'Never again war!' Leo said from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica. He prayed that God would deliver to the world a 'miracle of peace'.

Speaking of Ukraine, he said: 'I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people. May whatever is possible be done to reach an authentic, true and lasting peace as soon as possible. May all the prisoners be freed, may children return to their families.'

He welcomed the ceasefire between India and Pakistan and said he hoped negotiations would lead to a lasting peace.

Recalling the end of World War II 80 years ago, Leo quoted Pope Francis in denouncing the number of conflicts ravaging the globe today, saying it was a 'third world war in pieces.'

Leo also noted that Sunday was Mother's Day in many countries and wished all mothers, 'including those in heaven' a Happy Mother's Day.

The crowd, filled with marching bands in town for a special Jubilee weekend, erupted in cheers and music as the bells of St. Peter's Basilica tolled. 

Pope Leo XIV also celebrated a private Mass on Sunday near the tomb of St Peter, before he delivered his noon blessing. 

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The Vatican said the Pope was joined by the head of his Augustinian order, the Rev Alejandro Moral Anton.

 The Mass occurred in the grottoes underneath St Peter's, the traditional burial place of St Peter - the apostle who is considered the be the first pope.

The area, which is normally open to the public, also contains the tombs of past popes, including Benedict XVI.

Hours before Leo appeared to the public, St Peter's Square filled up with pilgrims, well-wishers and the curious, joined by multiple marching bands that made grand entrances into the square.

Addressing cardinals on Saturday, the 69-year-old called himself a 'humble servant of God... and nothing more than this', and an 'unworthy successor' to Saint Peter, according to a transcript of his speech released by the Vatican.

The Pontiff said he would be driven by the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis – who died April 21 aged 88 – 'with his example of complete dedication to service and to sober simplicity of life'.

Pope Leo will be formally inaugurated at a mass in St Peter's Square next week on May 18. 

Cardinals chose Leo as the 267th Pope on Thursday, following a two-day conclave in Vatican City.

The pontiff held his first Mass as Pope in the Sistine chapel on Friday before speaking to cardinals on Saturday.

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During this meeting, he described himself as an unworthy choice for Pope, and vowed to continue the 'precious legacy' of his predecessor, Francis.

He highlighted the importance of missionary work and discussion – as well as care for those he called the 'least and the rejected'.

He explained he had chosen the name Leo after a 19th-century Pope known for his teaching on social justice.

The new Pope also suggested the development of artificial intelligence and other advances meant the church was necessary today for the defence of human dignity and justice.

He is due to hold an audience with the media on Monday ahead of his inauguration next Sunday.

As part of that mass he will deliver a homily in the presence of numerous heads of state and dignitaries.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.