Pope Leo XIV on Sunday called for an end to war in the world as he greeted crowds from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on Sunday, in his second official public appearance since becoming the leader of the Catholic Church.
The Pope, addressing tens of thousands in St Peter’s Square gathered underneath him, who cheered, applauded wildly, and enthusiastically waved flags, did not shy from world events in his public address following a prayer to the Virgin Mary, as he cited the recent 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, a conflict which killed 60 million people.
The Holy Father, in line with his predecessor’s agenda, appealed for a “genuine, just and lasting peace in Ukraine” and said he was deeply saddened by events in the Gaza Strip, calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.
He said humanitarian aid must be provided to the exhausted civilian population, and all the hostages must be freed.
