Pope Leo XIV called for an end to wars around the world as he greeted crowds from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in his second official public appearance since becoming head of the Catholic Church.
"Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!" proclaimed the first pope from the United States, addressing tens of thousands of people gathered below him in St. Peter's Square, who applauded him wildly and waved flags enthusiastically, AFP reported.
The new pope, born in Chicago, did not shy away from addressing world events in his public address after praying to the Virgin Mary, mentioning the recent 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, a conflict that claimed the lives of 60 million people.
"In today's dramatic scenario of a third world war that is on the brink, as Pope Francis has repeatedly stated, I too turn to the powerful of the world, repeating the ever-timely appeal: Never again war!" Leo urged.
Like his predecessor Francis, he called for "true, just and lasting peace" in Ukraine and said he was "deeply saddened" by the events in the Gaza Strip, calling for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.
"Humanitarian aid must be provided to the exhausted civilian population and all hostages must be released," he said. | BGNES