Leo XIV calls for worldwide peace on his 100th day as pope
Rome (dpa) On his 100th day as pope, Leo XIV made an urgent appeal for peace on Friday."We must not resign ourselves to the logic of conflict and armed violence prevailing," the head of the Catholic Church said after leading the Angelus prayer in Castel Gandolfo, his summer residence near Rome.He said that hope must not be abandoned. The 69-year-old recalled his wartime predecessor, Pius XII, who expressed the wish after World War II that the unleashing of combat and war would never again claim so many lives. "How relevant these words are today!" said Leo."Even today, we unfortunately feel powerless in the face of the spread of violence in the world, which is becoming increasingly callous and insensitive to any sign of humanity," he said.
Robert Francis Prevost was elected the first US pope in May. Since taking office, he has repeatedly called for peace in places such as Gaza.
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Leo XIV calls for worldwide peace on his 100th day as pope
15 Aug 2025 17:53 Rome (dpa) On his 100th day as pope, Leo XIV made an urgent appeal for peace on Friday."We must not resign ourselves to the logic of conflict and armed violence prevailing," the head of the Catholic Church said after leading the Angelus prayer in Castel Gandolfo, his summer residence near said that hope must not be abandoned. The 69-year-old recalled his wartime predecessor, Pius XII, who expressed the wish after World War II that the unleashing of combat and war would never again claim so many lives. "How relevant these words are today!" said Leo."Even today, we unfortunately feel powerless in the face of the spread of violence in the world, which is becoming increasingly callous and insensitive to any sign of humanity," he said. Robert Francis Prevost was elected the first US pope in May. Since taking office, he has repeatedly called for peace in places such as Gaza.
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In his first 100 days, Pope Leo has sought to carry forward Pope Francis's compassion
On May 18, Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago-born Augustinian priest and former missionary in Peru, began his first 100 days as Pope Leo XIV, leader of the Catholic Church. For Catholics worldwide – and I am one – the Pope is more than a spiritual leader. He is believed to be the successor to Saint Peter, whom Jesus appointed to lead his disciples. In essence, Pope Leo is regarded as the earthly representative of Jesus and is sometimes referred to as the Vicar of Christ. Pope Leo had enormous shoes to fill, not only as the first American pontiff but as the successor to Pope Francis, who was beloved, especially by Christians in the Middle East, whom he embraced and protected. During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2021, and weakened by illness, Pope Francis insisted on travelling to northern Iraq to say Mass for embattled Christians displaced and persecuted by ISIS. 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He also met Iranian leaders during nuclear talks and called for humanitarian corridors in Syria and Iraq, referring to the former as 'beloved and tormented'. As his first 100 days close, Pope Leo emphasises unity and listening – urgent virtues in a time of polarisation and misinformation. He shares Pope Francis's progressive political instincts but is quieter, more methodical. A Vatican insider told The Guardian: 'He likes to do his homework.' Still, Pope Leo has been unequivocal in condemning Israel's treatment of Gaza's civilians, especially after Israeli strikes on churches and attacks on civilians waiting for food. I cried when Pope Francis died. I felt like a child who had lost my father all over again, stranded in a troubled world. But I have faith in Pope Leo. His first 100 days suggest a pontificate rooted in patience and unity, foundations on which I hope he will soon raise a bold, moral voice for our wounded world.
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