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Business Times
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Times
Pope Leo XIV appeals for 'no more war' in first Sunday message
POPE Leo XIV appealed to the world's major powers for 'no more war' in his first Sunday (May 11) message to crowds in St Peter's Square since his election as pontiff. The new pope, elected on May 8, called for an 'authentic and lasting peace' in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and the release of all Israeli hostages held by militant group Hamas. Speaking in fluent Italian, 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 '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 Two, 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. Tens of thousands of people in St Peter's Square and on the Via della Conciliazione leading to the Vatican broke into applause at the call for peace on what was a joyous occasion despite Leo's solemn message. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up The new pope said he carries 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 neighbors. He added: 'But there are so many other conflicts in the world!' Marching bands 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's first Sunday address 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. Peruvian Gladys Ruiz, who lives in Rome, was among the crowd in the square, estimated at more than 100,000 by Italian authorities. Calling Leo a 'Peruvian pope', Ruiz said his election is 'a great honour for us'. Leo has dual citizenship, having gained Peruvian citizenship in 2015. Also present were Dennis Gilligan and wife Maureen from Boston, Massachusetts, visiting Rome for their anniversary. He said he had passed up an opportunity to see Pope John Paul II when he visited Boston in 1979. 'I regretted it all my life,' he said. 'This was very moving.' The crowd was also entertained by bands from Italy, Mexico and other parts of Latin America who came to Rome for the ongoing Catholic Holy Year. 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. REUTERS
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pope prays for ‘miracle of peace' to end wars in Ukraine and Gaza
Pope Leo XIV said he was praying to God to grant the world the 'miracle of peace' and end wars in Ukraine and Gaza. In his first Sunday mass to a huge crowd in St Peter's Square, he appealed to the world's major powers for 'no more war'. The new pope, elected on May 8, called for an 'authentic and lasting peace' in Ukraine. He pleaded for 'a true and lasting peace to be possible including the release of hostages and return of children to their families.' He also called for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all Israeli hostages and access for humanitarian aid. Pope Leo also called for a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. The 69-year-old pontiff urged young people to join in praying for the 'miracle of peace,' and added that he would also pray for all the mothers of the world, as well as those already in heaven, as many countries across the globe celebrate Mother's Day. A roar of approval welled up from the crowd as he stepped onto the balcony, the sparkle of bright sun glinting off thousands of cell phones held high as he waved, smiling. Pope Leo's first Sunday address to tens of thousands of people 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. Pope Leo, born in Chicago as Robert Prevost and a missionary for decades in Peru, was elected on Thursday, becoming the first US-born pope to the surprise and delight of Catholics across the Americas. After a surprise visit on Saturday to the Our Lady of Good Counsel shrine in a 13th century church in the town of Genazzano outside Rome, Pope Leo prayed at sunset at the tomb of his late predecessor Pope Francis, leaving a single white flower before departing the basilica at Santa Maria Maggiore. As his dark van drove through the narrow streets of Rome, Pope Leo, seated in front next to his driver, leaned out of the open window to shake hands and pump a thumbs up sign to an exuberant crowd. On Saturday the newly-elected pontiff was met with a standing ovation by the College of Cardinals, to whom he indicated that he will follow closely the path carved out by Pope Francis. He explained that he chose his papal name after Pope Leo XIII because it reflected a commitment to the Church's social teaching and defending 'human dignity, justice and labour' amid a new industrial revolution driven by artificial intelligence. Pope Leo XIII was an Italian elected in 1879 and who in 1891 wrote the historic encyclical Rerum Novarum [of revolutionary change] to address the conditions of the working classes wrought by the industrial revolution. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
