Pope Leo XIV Urges Immediate Ceasefire, Aid in Gaza
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – In his first Sunday address as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and demanded the release of captives and delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians.
Pope Leo XIV delivered his first noon blessing from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday, urging the world to act decisively to end the violence in Gaza.
“I too address the world's great powers by repeating the ever-present call 'never again war,’” he said.
He appealed for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and emphasized the urgent need to provide humanitarian assistance to the "exhausted civilian population."
“All hostages must be freed,” the pope added, highlighting the severity of the crisis.
Leo also expressed deep concern for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, calling for "genuine, just and lasting peace" and urging the release of war prisoners and the return of displaced children to their families.
Leo quoted his predecessor, Pope Francis, in describing the scale of global conflict as a "third world war in pieces."
The new pontiff continued papal tradition with the noon blessing, but departed from previous practice by delivering it from the center of the basilica rather than the Apostolic Palace.
He concluded his address with a Mother's Day greeting, acknowledging mothers around the world, including "those in heaven."
Leo XIV, a 69-year-old missionary from Chicago, became the first American pope after his election on Thursday.
