Vatican City: In his inaugural Sunday address, newly appointed US-born Pope Leo XIV called for global peace, specifically addressing the situations in Gaza and Ukraine while expressing satisfaction with the ceasefire between India and Pakistan that was established on May 10.
Pope Leo XIV expressed optimism regarding the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, hoping that the upcoming negotiations would pave the way for a sustainable agreement between the two countries.
"I am heartened by the announcement of the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, and I hope that through the forthcoming discussions, a lasting settlement will be achieved soon," Pope Leo XIV stated on X.
"I carry the suffering of the cherished Ukrainian people in my heart," he remarked, calling for a "genuine, just, and enduring peace as swiftly as possible" in Ukraine.
He also advocated for the liberation of prisoners and the reunification of children with their families.
"May all prisoners be released, and may children return to their families," he appealed.
In relation to the situation in Gaza, the Pope expressed profound sorrow about the ongoing violence and demanded an immediate ceasefire.
"I am profoundly saddened by the events occurring in the Gaza Strip. Ceasefire now! Humanitarian assistance must be given to the beleaguered civilian population, and all hostages must be released," he urged.
Pope Leo, whose birth name is Robert Prevost, was born in Chicago and was elected on Thursday, becoming the first Pope from the United States. This development has brought surprise and joy to many Catholics across the Americas, as reported by CNN.
During his initial formal gathering with the cardinals, which commenced with a standing ovation, the new pontiff shared that he selected his papal name to follow in the footsteps of Pope Leo XIII, who addressed "the social question amid the first great industrial revolution."
Pope Leo XIII led the Roman Catholic Church from 1878 until his death in 1903 and is remembered for his contributions to Catholic social teaching. He authored a well-known open letter to all Catholics in 1891, titled "Rerum Novarum" ("Of Revolutionary Change"), which contemplated the devastation caused by the Industrial Revolution on workers' lives.
"In our contemporary era, the church presents everyone with the wealth of her social teachings in response to another industrial revolution and advancements in artificial intelligence, which create fresh challenges in upholding human dignity, justice, and labor," the new American pope stated Saturday, delivering his message in fluent Italian, as reported by CNN.
Dressed in the distinctive white robes of the papacy, he made it clear to the cardinals that his leadership would continue the reforms initiated by Pope Francis and uphold his legacy of social justice.
