'No more war': Pope calls for peace in Ukraine and Gaza
Pope Leo XIV has appealed to the world's major powers for "no more war" in his first Sunday message to crowds in St Peter's Square since his election as pontiff.
The new Pope, elected on Thursday, called for an "authentic and lasting peace" in Ukraine and a ceasefire in Gaza and release of all Israeli hostages held by militant group Hamas.
Leo also welcomed the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, negotiated overnight, and said he was praying to God to grant the world the "miracle of peace".
"No more war!" the Pope said, repeating a frequent call of the late Pope Francis and noting the recent 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, in which some 60 million people were killed.
Leo said today's world was living through "the dramatic scenario of a Third World War being fought piecemeal", again repeating a phrase coined by Francis.
The new Pope said he carried in his heart the "suffering of the beloved people of Ukraine".
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 "authentic, just and lasting peace".
The Pope also said he was "profoundly saddened" 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 neighbours.
He added: "But there are so many other conflicts in the world."
Leo, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost, is the first US-born pontiff and was a relative unknown on the world stage before his election on Thursday.
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's 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 Stars and Stripes Forever.
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.
Leo is a member of the Augustinian religious order, which runs the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano.
Pope Leo XIV has appealed to the world's major powers for "no more war" in his first Sunday message to crowds in St Peter's Square since his election as pontiff.
The new Pope, elected on Thursday, called for an "authentic and lasting peace" in Ukraine and a ceasefire in Gaza and release of all Israeli hostages held by militant group Hamas.
Leo also welcomed the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, negotiated overnight, and said he was praying to God to grant the world the "miracle of peace".
"No more war!" the Pope said, repeating a frequent call of the late Pope Francis and noting the recent 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, in which some 60 million people were killed.
Leo said today's world was living through "the dramatic scenario of a Third World War being fought piecemeal", again repeating a phrase coined by Francis.
The new Pope said he carried in his heart the "suffering of the beloved people of Ukraine".
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 "authentic, just and lasting peace".
The Pope also said he was "profoundly saddened" 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 neighbours.
He added: "But there are so many other conflicts in the world."
Leo, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost, is the first US-born pontiff and was a relative unknown on the world stage before his election on Thursday.
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's 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 Stars and Stripes Forever.
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.
Leo is a member of the Augustinian religious order, which runs the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano.
Pope Leo XIV has appealed to the world's major powers for "no more war" in his first Sunday message to crowds in St Peter's Square since his election as pontiff.
The new Pope, elected on Thursday, called for an "authentic and lasting peace" in Ukraine and a ceasefire in Gaza and release of all Israeli hostages held by militant group Hamas.
Leo also welcomed the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, negotiated overnight, and said he was praying to God to grant the world the "miracle of peace".
"No more war!" the Pope said, repeating a frequent call of the late Pope Francis and noting the recent 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, in which some 60 million people were killed.
Leo said today's world was living through "the dramatic scenario of a Third World War being fought piecemeal", again repeating a phrase coined by Francis.
The new Pope said he carried in his heart the "suffering of the beloved people of Ukraine".
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 "authentic, just and lasting peace".
The Pope also said he was "profoundly saddened" 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 neighbours.
He added: "But there are so many other conflicts in the world."
Leo, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost, is the first US-born pontiff and was a relative unknown on the world stage before his election on Thursday.
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's 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 Stars and Stripes Forever.
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.
Leo is a member of the Augustinian religious order, which runs the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano.
Pope Leo XIV has appealed to the world's major powers for "no more war" in his first Sunday message to crowds in St Peter's Square since his election as pontiff.
The new Pope, elected on Thursday, called for an "authentic and lasting peace" in Ukraine and a ceasefire in Gaza and release of all Israeli hostages held by militant group Hamas.
Leo also welcomed the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, negotiated overnight, and said he was praying to God to grant the world the "miracle of peace".
"No more war!" the Pope said, repeating a frequent call of the late Pope Francis and noting the recent 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, in which some 60 million people were killed.
Leo said today's world was living through "the dramatic scenario of a Third World War being fought piecemeal", again repeating a phrase coined by Francis.
The new Pope said he carried in his heart the "suffering of the beloved people of Ukraine".
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 "authentic, just and lasting peace".
The Pope also said he was "profoundly saddened" 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 neighbours.
He added: "But there are so many other conflicts in the world."
Leo, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost, is the first US-born pontiff and was a relative unknown on the world stage before his election on Thursday.
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's 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 Stars and Stripes Forever.
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.
Leo is a member of the Augustinian religious order, which runs the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano.
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In Istanbul, it was agreed that each side would release in stages 1200 prisoners - those under 25, the seriously wounded and the seriously ill. Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian invasion for more than three years. During the war, there have been repeated exchanges of prisoners and the return of bodies. A Russian drone strike on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv killed at least two people and injured dozens, local media reported early on Wednesday. with DPA The Ukrainian military says it has struck a major Russian gunpowder plant in the western Tambov region, causing a fire at the site. The Ukrainian military characterised the plant as one of the main facilities in Russia's military industrial complex. "It produces gunpowder for various types of small arms, artillery and rocket systems," it said in a statement on Telegram. 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Ukraine accepted the bodies of 1212 of its fallen soldiers from Russia after days of dispute, the Ukrainian agency dealing with prisoners of war said on Wednesday. The soldiers died in battles in Russia's Kursk region and the Ukrainian regions of Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, the agency said. Russia received 27 killed soldiers in return, Russian chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said. "Now they can be laid to rest in a Christian manner," he wrote on Telegram. Russia has for days accused Ukraine of failing to accept the remains, and called on Ukrainian authorities to comply with agreements reached between the warring parties in talks in Istanbul at the beginning of the month. Russia transported the bodies ready for handover over the weekend in what it termed a "humanitarian action" while Ukraine said that no agreement on a handover date had been reached. The Istanbul talks provided for the return of the remains of more than 6000 fallen soldiers from Russia to Ukraine. Work on implementing the Istanbul agreements will continue, Medinsky said, with an exchange of seriously wounded prisoners of war to take place on Thursday. Ukraine and Russia had already exchanged an unspecified number of prisoners in recent days. In Istanbul, it was agreed that each side would release in stages 1200 prisoners - those under 25, the seriously wounded and the seriously ill. Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian invasion for more than three years. During the war, there have been repeated exchanges of prisoners and the return of bodies. A Russian drone strike on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv killed at least two people and injured dozens, local media reported early on Wednesday. with DPA The Ukrainian military says it has struck a major Russian gunpowder plant in the western Tambov region, causing a fire at the site. The Ukrainian military characterised the plant as one of the main facilities in Russia's military industrial complex. "It produces gunpowder for various types of small arms, artillery and rocket systems," it said in a statement on Telegram. Tambov regional Governor Yevgeny Pervyshov said early on Wednesday that Russian defences had repelled a "massive attack" by Ukrainian drones on the town of Kotovsk, which independent Russian media identified as the site of a gunpowder plant. He said one downed drone had caused a fire but no casualties, and the situation was under control. Pervyshov also told people not to film and publish images of air defence operations and attempted attacks, as this would provide "direct assistance to the enemy". The Tambov gunpowder plant produces propellant powders used in charges for ammunition for 122 mm and 152 mm howitzers, according to a report from the Royal United Services Institute and the Open Source Centre. The Ukrainian military also said that it recorded explosions at an ammunition depot in Russia's Kursk region and an airfield depot in Russia's Voronezh region. Reuters was not able to independently confirm the incidents. Ukraine accepted the bodies of 1212 of its fallen soldiers from Russia after days of dispute, the Ukrainian agency dealing with prisoners of war said on Wednesday. The soldiers died in battles in Russia's Kursk region and the Ukrainian regions of Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, the agency said. Russia received 27 killed soldiers in return, Russian chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said. "Now they can be laid to rest in a Christian manner," he wrote on Telegram. Russia has for days accused Ukraine of failing to accept the remains, and called on Ukrainian authorities to comply with agreements reached between the warring parties in talks in Istanbul at the beginning of the month. Russia transported the bodies ready for handover over the weekend in what it termed a "humanitarian action" while Ukraine said that no agreement on a handover date had been reached. The Istanbul talks provided for the return of the remains of more than 6000 fallen soldiers from Russia to Ukraine. Work on implementing the Istanbul agreements will continue, Medinsky said, with an exchange of seriously wounded prisoners of war to take place on Thursday. Ukraine and Russia had already exchanged an unspecified number of prisoners in recent days. In Istanbul, it was agreed that each side would release in stages 1200 prisoners - those under 25, the seriously wounded and the seriously ill. Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian invasion for more than three years. During the war, there have been repeated exchanges of prisoners and the return of bodies. A Russian drone strike on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv killed at least two people and injured dozens, local media reported early on Wednesday. with DPA
