Pope Leo XIV calls for peace at St Peter’s prayer

VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV 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.

“Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!” proclaimed the first pontiff from the United States, addressing tens of thousands in St Peter´s Square gathered underneath him who cheered, applauded wildly and enthusiastically waved flags.

“In today´s dramatic scenario of a third world war in tatters, as repeatedly stated by Pope Francis, I also address the powerful of the world, repeating the ever-timely appeal: No more war!” Leo urged from the balcony.

As had his predecessor Francis, he 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. “Humanitarian aid must be provided to the exhausted civilian population and all the hostages must be freed,” he said.

Leo´s appearance drew tens of thousands of people anxious for a closer look at the modest pontiff, born Robert Francis Prevost, who before becoming pontiff spent much of his life as a missionary in Peru.

Cardinals chose Leo as the 267th pope at a secret conclave on Thursday, praying he could heal rifts within the Church, renew faith among the world´s 1.4 billion Catholics and address a host of modern-day challenges weighing on the more than 2,000-year-old institution.