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, a ceasefire in Gaza, and the release of all Israeli hostages held by militant group Hamas.
Leo also welcomed the recent fragile ceasefire between India and Pakistan, negotiated overnight, 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 World War Two, in which some 60 million people were killed.
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�
Hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed direct talks with Ukraine aimed at ending the bloody three-year war, Leo appealed for negotiations to reach an 鈥渁uthentic, just and lasting peace.鈥�
The pope 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 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�
US-BORN POPE SPEAKS ITALIAN TO CROWD
Leo, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost, is the first US-born pontiff and was a relative unknown on the world stage before his election.
He previously served for decades as a missionary in Peru before first becoming a cardinal to take up a senior Vatican role two years ago.
Leo鈥檚 first Sunday address to tens of thousands in the square coincided with a previously planned pilgrimage to Rome by marching bands from around the world.
Minutes before the pope addressed the crowd, bands marched up the broad boulevard leading to the Vatican playing songs such as Y.M.C.A. by the Village People, the theme from the film Rocky, and music by John Philip Sousa, who composed the marching classic 鈥淪tars and Stripes Forever.鈥�
The crowd, estimated at more than 100,000 by Italian authorities, was also entertained by bands from Italy, Mexico and other parts of Latin America who came to Rome for the ongoing Catholic Holy Year.
Leo gave his address on Sunday in fluent Italian.
In all of his appearances since his election, Leo has not made any mention of the country of his birth, angering some US conservative commentators.