“No More War!” – Pope Leo XIV Issues Stirring Call for Global Peace in First Sunday Address
“No More War!” – Pope Leo XIV Issues Stirring Call for Global Peace in First Sunday Address – With tens of thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV made a powerful plea for peace during his first Sunday address as the head of the Catholic Church, echoing the timeless words: “No more war!”
The new pontiff, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago and the first American ever elected to the papacy, drew massive crowds as he appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on May 11.
It marked his second public appearance since becoming the 267th pope following a secret conclave.
Earlier that morning, he celebrated Mass at the ancient altar above the tomb of St Peter in the Vatican Grottoes, symbolically linking his spiritual mission with the foundations of the Church.
In his address, Pope Leo invoked both history and current conflicts.
Referring to the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II—a war that took 60 million lives—he lamented the continuing violence around the globe.
“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!” he declared.
With heartfelt urgency, he called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and peace in Ukraine, saying: “Humanitarian aid must be provided to the exhausted civilian population and all the hostages must be freed.”
Pope Leo’s rise has inspired many, especially in Latin America, where he spent decades as a missionary in Peru.
His humility has struck a chord with followers across the globe.
Addressing cardinals a day earlier, the 69-year-old described himself as “a humble servant of God… and nothing more than this,” and “an unworthy successor” to St Peter.
In the crowd was 59-year-old Alejandrina Espinosa of Peru’s Quechua community, who was moved to tears.
“He stole our hearts, because he awakened Christianity,” she said. “I hope that this pope can unite all religions to save the world, because humanity is living a humanitarian crisis. We are killing each other.”
The atmosphere in St Peter’s Square was electric yet reverent. Pilgrims waved flags and sang hymns, with priests, nuns, and youth groups joining in praise.
Pope Leo XIV now faces the daunting task of healing internal rifts within the Church while responding to global crises.
