VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV appealed to the world鈥檚 major powers for 鈥渘o more war鈥� in his first Sunday message to crowds in St. Peter鈥檚 Square since his election as pontiff.

The new pope, elected on May 8, called for an 鈥渁uthentic and lasting peace鈥� in Ukraine and a ceasefire in Gaza and release of all Israeli hostages.

Leo also welcomed the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, and said he was praying to God to grant the world the 鈥渕iracle of peace.鈥�

鈥淣o more war!鈥� the pope said, repeating a frequent call of the late Pope Francis and noting the recent 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, which killed some 60 million people.

Leo said today鈥檚 world was living through 鈥渢he dramatic scenario of a Third World War being fought piecemeal,鈥� again repeating a phrase coined by Francis.

The new pope said he carries in his heart the 鈥渟uffering of the beloved people of Ukraine.鈥� He appealed for negotiations to reach an 鈥渁uthentic, just and lasting peace.鈥�

He also said he was 鈥減rofoundly saddened鈥� by the war in Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian aid and release of the remaining hostages held by the militant group Hamas.

Leo said he was glad to hear of the recent India-Pakistan ceasefire and hoped negotiations would lead to a lasting accord between the nuclear armed neighbors.

He added: 鈥淏ut there are so many other conflicts in the world!鈥�