Pope Leo XIV Urges End to Global Conflicts in First Sunday Message

In his first Sunday address on May 11, 2025, Pope Leo XIV called for global peace, urging an end to conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Speaking to over 100,000 people in St. Peter’s Square, he appealed for a ceasefire in Gaza, humanitarian aid, and the release of hostages. He welcomed the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan and warned of a “Third World War being fought piecemeal.” Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pope, emphasized the need for “authentic and lasting peace” worldwide.