Pope Leo XIV calls for Gaza ceasefire and peace in Ukraine
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Pope Leo XIV appears at the central Loggia of St. Peter's Basilica to recite the Regina Caeli prayer at the Vatican on May 11. Photo: Isabella Bonotto/Anadolu via Getty Images
Pope Leo XIV called for a ceasefire in Gaza, the return of all hostages and peace in Ukraine during his first Sunday noon blessing as the bishop of Rome.
The big picture: Leo's calls echo those of his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, who was an outspoken advocate for the besieged Palestinian population and denounced Russia's war in Ukraine.
Driving the news: "I too appeal to the powerful of the world by repeating these ever-relevant words: never again war!'" Leo said from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, according to Vatican News.
- Leo said he carries "in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people," calling for "genuine, just and lasting peace as soon as possible," for prisoners to be freed and for children to be returned to their families.
- He said there should be an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and called for humanitarian aid to be provided to the "exhausted civilian population" and for all hostages to be freed.
- Leo welcomed the news of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, expressing hope for "a lasting agreement."
Zoom out: Leo, previously known as Robert Prevost, was seen as close to his predecessor — personally and in outlook, Axios' Dave Lawler reports. But he is also considered somewhat more moderate in temperament and on some ideological questions.
- He assumes the highly influential role at a time of persistent global conflicts — and one of deep division in his native U.S.
What they're saying: Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, the archbishop of Chicago, said in a Sunday interview on ABC's "This Week" after Leo's blessing that the new pontiff "picked up on" Francis' words that there is "a world war going on piecemeal."
- Cupich later said he hopes that Leo will have "a new platform to reintroduce what the church has always called for in terms of its social justice agenda."
- He added, "it'll give people another opportunity to take a second look at what Francis was saying, but now in the words and the voice of an American who speaks like an American."
Zoom in: Sunday's blessing marks the first time Leo addressed a crowd from the loggia since he was elected pope on Thursday.
- Leo continued the tradition of the pontiff offering a Sunday blessing at noon, per the AP. But while his predecessors spoke from the Apostolic Palace window, Leo chose to appear above the square.
- He opted to sing the Regina Caeli, or "Queen of Heaven," prayer, rather than just reciting it.
Go deeper: Meet Pope Leo XIV, the first American to serve as Bishop of Rome
