Just days into his papacy, Pope Leo XIV was already breaking convention, delivering a first public message that struck chords far beyond the Vatican walls.
In his first Sunday noon blessing, Pope Leo XIV delivered a direct and urgent appeal to the world’s most powerful nations, calling for peace in war-torn regions and justice for the oppressed.
The address, delivered from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, marked the new pontiff’s first public message since assuming the papacy and drew a crowd of nearly 100,000 faithful to Vatican City. “I, too, address the world’s great powers by repeating the ever-present call ‘never again war,'” Pope Leo declared, his voice echoing across the packed square.
The Pope’s message centered on two of the globe’s most volatile conflicts: Ukraine and Gaza. Drawing on the words of his predecessor, Pope Francis, Leo described today’s world as caught in a “third world war in pieces.”
“I carry in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people,” he said. “Whatever is possible be done to reach an authentic true and lasting peace as quickly as possible.”
He called for the release of prisoners of war and the safe return of Ukrainian children displaced by the conflict. He also praised a ceasefire recently reached between India and Pakistan — a rare point of optimism in a speech that otherwise underscored the weight of ongoing global unrest.
Turning to the Middle East, Pope Leo made an urgent plea for a halt to the violence in Gaza. He urged for an immediate ceasefire, calling for humanitarian aid to reach civilians and for all hostages to be released. He also asked for relief to be extended to the exhausted civilian population.
Sunday’s appearance was rich in symbolism. From his gestures on the balcony to his deliberate invocation of unity in a fractured Catholic Church, Leo seemed intent on positioning his papacy as one of reconciliation and bold truth-telling.
The tone he set appears to extend beyond global conflict. Even before his election, Pope Leo’s past statements and actions were being closely scrutinized. In the hours after the white smoke cleared, a series of old tweets resurfaced, revealing sharp criticism of U.S. political figures — notably JD Vance, now a key figure in the Trump administration.
One tweet read, “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,” linking to an article from National Catholic Reporter. Another tweet criticized Vance’s interpretation of religious duty in the context of immigration.
The Pope’s stance on immigration was further highlighted by comments from his brother, Mr. Prevost, who shared insight into Leo’s private convictions.
