Pope Leo XIV made a powerful plea for an end to global conflict during his first Sunday address as head of the Catholic Church, speaking to tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square on May 11. From the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, the newly elected pontiff, the first American to hold the position, greeted the faithful with warmth and urgency.
“Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!” he began, as the crowd erupted in cheers, waving flags and Catholic symbols in celebration of the historic moment.
The Chicago-born pope, formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost, used his appearance to highlight ongoing global crises. Following a prayer to the Virgin Mary, he invoked the memory of World War II—80 years after its end—and echoed a familiar warning from his predecessor, Pope Francis.
“In today’s dramatic scenario of a third world war fought piecemeal, as repeatedly stated by Pope Francis, I too appeal to the leaders of the world: No more war!” he declared.
Pope Leo went on to call for a “genuine, just, and lasting peace” in Ukraine and voiced deep concern over the humanitarian toll of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. “Humanitarian aid must reach the exhausted civilian population, and all hostages must be freed,” he said, underscoring the urgency of global solidarity and compassion.
Earlier in the day, the pontiff celebrated Mass at the altar near the tomb of St. Peter, deep within the Vatican Grottoes—an act steeped in symbolism for the Church’s newest spiritual leader.
At 69, Pope Leo has been tasked with guiding the Church through a period of profound division and modern-day challenges, from declining faith to social justice concerns. During a private address to cardinals on Saturday, he described himself as a “humble servant of God… and nothing more,” calling himself an “unworthy successor” to St. Peter.
Pilgrims from across the world filled the square, including priests, nuns, youth groups, and musicians. Among them was Alejandrina Espinosa, a 59-year-old woman from Peru’s Quechua community, who wept at the sight of the new pontiff.
“He stole our hearts because he awakened Christianity,” she said. “The pope turned his work toward the forgotten and the desolate. I pray he can unite all religions to save the world—we are living through a humanitarian crisis. We are killing each other.”
As he steps into his new role, Pope Leo’s words and actions signal a deep commitment to peace, inclusion, and healing—both within the Church and beyond.
