Pope Leo XIV Calls for End to War in First Sunday Blessing as Pontiff

The new pope, speaking to thousands in St. Peter’s Square, echoed themes that Francis, his predecessor, regularly addressed.

Pope Leo XIV returned to the balcony where he was presented to the world as the new leader of the Roman Catholic church just days ago, using his first Sunday address to the faithful to call for peace.

“Never again war,” he said to a roar from the tens of thousands who had gathered in St. Peter’s Square at noon. Leo’s appeal was addressed to the world’s most powerful leaders, and he noted that it had been almost 80 years to the day since the “immense tragedy” of World War II had ended. He quoted Pope Francis, his predecessor, who often referred to the current global wave of violence as “a third world war in pieces.”

Leo was elected pope on Thursday, becoming the first American pontiff on the second day of the conclave. Since then, he has had a busy calendar, with Vatican observers watching closely for clues on how he plans to lead.

On Friday, with the cardinals who had elected him the previous day, he celebrated his first Mass in the Sistine Chapel as pope. In his homily, he pledged to align himself with “ordinary people.”

The pope met with the cardinals again on Saturday, saying he would continue the work of Francis in steering the church toward greater collegiality and a focus on caring for marginalized people.

On Sunday, he continued to echo themes that Francis spoke about regularly in his Sunday addresses, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

The pope called for an “authentic, just and lasting peace” in Ukraine and the freeing of all prisoners in that war. He added that children should be returned to their families. Although he did not specify which children, many Ukrainian children have been taken to Russia during the war against the wishes of their families.

Leo also made a plea for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and for humanitarian aid to be allowed to be distributed “to the exhausted civilian population” in the territory, as well as the return of the hostages taken in the Hamas assault on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Sunday also marked the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, he noted. Leo said he was praying, along with the faithful, that more Catholics would take up callings to the priesthood and religious orders. “The church has such a great need for them!” he said, at a time when the number of people joining the priesthood and religious orders has been declining.

“And to young people I say, do not be afraid,” accept the call of the church, he said, citing the words that Pope John Paul II said at his official inaugural Mass as pontiff in 1978. Leo’s words were drowned out by cheers.

Before speaking to those gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Leo celebrated Mass with other clerics, near the tomb of St. Peter, which is under the Renaissance basilica.

Leo delivered his homily half in English and half in Italian. In one passage, he urged clerics to listen. “Listen to the word of God, then listen to others, know how to build bridges, know how to listen in order not to judge, not to close doors thinking that we have all the truth and no one can tell us anything.”

Some 100,000 people filled the square and the avenue leading to it, according to the Vatican. Next Sunday, St. Peter’s is expected to fill with the faithful once again for his official inaugural Mass.

Leo takes over the church at an especially busy time, as 2025 is a Jubilee Year, when Catholics seek penance and forgiveness of sins. Jubilee Years occur every quarter century, and millions of visitors are likely to visit Rome for dozens of events.

Marching bands crisscrossed the square on Sunday, as this weekend was the Jubilee of Bands. Leo greeted “these pilgrims with affection,” thanking them for enlivening the morning with their music and performances.

“Viva il Papa,” or “Long live the pope,” people cheered when he finished his address.

The Vatican said that Leo and several Vatican officials then went to the Apostolic Palace, where officials had sealed Francis’ apartment when he died. On Sunday, the seals were removed.

Leo has not said where he will live, but Francis broke with a longstanding tradition and resided in a Vatican guesthouse rather than in the palace.

Candice Dias, from California, was in the square Sunday to hear Leo’s blessing. “He seems to be very down to earth,” she said before he spoke.

Tim Salaba, 62, a retired engineer from Lonsdale, Minn., who was also there, said he had been surprised by the cardinals’ choice. “Like most people, we thought the odds of an American pope were very low,” he said. “I hope in time he will be referred to less as the American pope and just as the pope.”

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