Pope Leo XIV has pledged to prioritise global peace, rejecting war as inevitable and offering the Vatican’s role in mediating international conflicts.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff in history, has vowed to make "every effort" to promote peace worldwide, reiterating his readiness to offer the Vatican as a neutral venue for dialogue between warring parties.
Speaking to representatives of the Eastern Catholic Churches—many of whom come from areas affected by violence such as Ukraine, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq—Leo emphasised that "war is never inevitable" and warned that weapons only worsen human suffering.
"The Holy See is always ready to help bring enemies together, face-to-face, to talk to one another, so that peoples everywhere may once more find hope and recover the dignity they deserve, the dignity of peace," the Pope said.
He cautioned against binary worldviews that frame others as enemies, instead urging recognition of shared humanity. "Our neighbours are not first our enemies, but fellow human beings," he noted.
Since succeeding Pope Francis last week, Leo has repeatedly called for peace. His first words to the public from St Peter’s Square were “Peace be with all you.”
On Sunday, the pontiff called for a lasting peace in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and expressed support for the ongoing ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
Leo spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday in his first confirmed conversation with a world leader. According to Zelenskyy, the Pope offered to facilitate peace negotiations.
Zelenskyy is expected to attend the Pope's inauguration mass on 18 May in St Peter’s Square, with his chief of staff Andriy Yermak confirming that side meetings could take place during the visit.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei met Pope Leo at the Vatican, confirming the pontiff’s upcoming visit to Argentina.
Pope Leo XIV met with Napoli’s soccer team at the Vatican on Tuesday to celebrate their Serie A victory. Napoli clinched the title, known as the "Scudetto" after beating Cagliari, finishing just one point ahead of Inter Milan.
Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili is set to meet with Pope Leo XIV on Monday at the Vatican, the president announced earlier today.
The inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV took place in Vatican City, attended by international dignitaries, including Azerbaijani parliament speaker.
Pope Leo XIV officially began his papacy on Sunday, emphasizing unity, preserving the Church’s traditions, and addressing global conflicts during his inaugural Mass attended by world leaders and thousands of faithful.
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Lithuania has formally notified the United Nations of its decision to withdraw from the international treaty banning anti-personnel landmines, citing security concerns over Russia.
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President Donald Trump said Friday he believes any potential conflict with North Korea can be resolved, pointing to his strong relationship with leader Kim Jong Un.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News, accusing the network of distorting facts about his phone call with President Donald Trump.
Mexico’s navy intercepted a submarine carrying 3.5 tonnes of cocaine off the coast of Guerrero, dealing a major financial hit to drug traffickers.
Lithuania has formally notified the United Nations of its decision to withdraw from the international treaty banning anti-personnel landmines, citing security concerns over Russia.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News, accusing the network of distorting facts about his phone call with President Donald Trump.
Mexico’s navy intercepted a submarine carrying 3.5 tonnes of cocaine off the coast of Guerrero, dealing a major financial hit to drug traffickers.
Lithuania has formally notified the United Nations of its decision to withdraw from the international treaty banning anti-personnel landmines, citing security concerns over Russia.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned a US-supported aid operation in Gaza, calling it “inherently unsafe” and blaming it for civilian deaths.
Five senior Greek government officials, including a cabinet minister, have resigned amid an EU fraud investigation over the mismanagement of farming subsidies.
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