Vatican, 11 May 2024
In his first Regina Coeli address given from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, the newly elected Holy Father Pope Leo XIV welcomed the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. He expressed hope that the upcoming negotiations would lead to a lasting agreement.
Starting his address by echoing his predecessor Pope Francis’ call for peace, he stated, “In today’s dramatic context of a third world war fought piecemeal... I too appeal to the powerful of the world by repeating these ever-relevant words: never again war!”
The Holy Father recalled the tragedy of the Second World War, which ended 80 years ago on 8 May, “after resulting in the deaths of 60 million people.”
Addressing the ongoing conflicts in today's world, Pope Leo said, “I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people,” emphasizing that "every effort must be made to achieve a true, just, and lasting peace as soon as possible." He added, "May all prisoners be freed, and may the children be returned to their families."
Pope Leo then turned his attention to the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip. “I am deeply pained by what is happening,” he remarked. “Let the fighting cease immediately, let humanitarian aid be provided to the exhausted civilian population, and may all hostages be released.”
He concluded with a poignant question: “How many other conflicts are there in the world?”
Pope Leo entrusted his "heartfelt appeal" to Mary, Queen of Peace, "so that she may present it to the Lord Jesus and obtain for us the miracle of peace.”