Newly elected Pope Leo XIV's powerful peace appeal
Pope Leo XIV made his debut on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, leading the Regina Coeli prayer. He also spoke clearly about his stance on the war in Ukraine. "I too appeal to the powerful of the world by repeating these ever-relevant words: never again war!," said the new pope, addressing his words to the "beloved Ukrainian people."
On Sunday at noon, global attention focused on Vatican City, where the newly elected Pope Leo XIV publicly led the Regina Coeli prayer for the first time. At precisely 6 AM ET, he appeared on the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica to address the gathered faithful. Approximately 150,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square, with thousands more following the event on nearby screens and online.
Clear declaration from the new pope on Ukraine: Unequivocal words spoken
Pope Leo XIV began his speech with: "Dear brothers and sisters, a good Sunday to you all. I consider it a blessing that the first Sunday of my service falls on the day of the Good Shepherd." His words were met with enthusiasm by the gathered crowd.
Commentators predicted that the pope might address contemporary challenges, such as the war in Ukraine, aligning with the Vatican's previous calls for peace. Therefore, it was no surprise that Leo XIV spoke on the topic, referencing events from World War II. "Brothers and sisters, the immense tragedy of the Second World War ended 80 years ago, on May 8th, after causing 60 million deaths," Leo XIV said.
"In today’s dramatic context of a third world war fought piecemeal, as Pope Francis has said, I too appeal to the powerful of the world by repeating these ever-relevant words: never again war!" added the pope, also mentioning the "beloved Ukrainian people."
The new head of the Catholic Church further called for action to achieve peace in Ukraine. Leo XIV advocated for prisoners of war and made a similar appeal regarding the Gaza Strip. In his speech, he addressed recent events between India and Pakistan, expressing joy at the news of a ceasefire between the countries. He expressed hope that negotiations would lead to lasting peace.
Pope Francis's stance on the war in Ukraine
Previously, Pope Francis had repeatedly shared his views on the conflict in Ukraine, emphasizing peace and dialogue. However, he never directly condemned Vladimir Putin or the actions of the Russian army, attracting criticism from Western societies.
In his appearances, Pope Francis called for respect for religious freedom and opposed bans on activities by religious organizations linked with Russia, which were criticized by Ukrainian authorities.
In the context of the war in Ukraine, Pope Francis advocated for negotiations and dialogue, sparking controversy, particularly among Ukrainian politicians. His appeal for "the courage to negotiate" was seen as an attempt to balance the sides of the conflict, receiving a strong reaction from Ukraine's foreign minister.
Pope Francis emphasized that prayer is not incorrect, and Christian churches should not be "overthrown." His stance on religious freedom in Ukraine was part of a broader appeal for peace and dialogue, which he directed to all parties in the conflict, calling for respect for human rights and an end to hostilities.
From his very first appearance, Leo XIV indicated that he would differ from his predecessor in this regard.
