Pope at first Sunday blessing urges an end to war, mentions Gaza and Ukraine

Pope Leo: ‘I carry in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people. May everything possible be done to reach an authentic, just and lasting peace, as soon as possible.’

Pope Leo XIV today indicated further his intention to continue the legacy of Pope Francis when at his first Regina Caeli, the Sunday blessing, he emphasised his predecessor’s much-repeated appeal, “Never again war!”

Speaking after the blessing, Pope Leo said: “I carry in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people. May everything possible be done to reach an authentic, just and lasting peace, as soon as possible. Let all the prisoners be freed and the children return to their own families.”

He added: “I am deeply saddened by what is happening in the Gaza Strip: may there be an immediate ceasefire. Let humanitarian aid be provided to the stricken civil population, and let all the hostages be freed.”

And he also welcomed the ceasefire that was announced between India and Pakistan, and I hope that through the upcoming negotiations, a lasting accord may be reached soon.

He acknowledged the “immense tragedy” of the Second World War which ended 80 years ago, on 8 May, after having claimed 60 million victims.

He prayed also for vocations, for which he said the Church has such “great need”.

To the surprise of many, he burst into song for the actual blessing, and was joined by many of those watching in the square. In the video below, this can be seen at around 0920.

Going on to greet pilgrims from around the world, as the Pope traditionally does on Sundays, the first group he mentioned was from the UK, Bible Society, known outside Britain as the British and Foreign Bible Society.

He also noted a group of doctors from Granada and pilgrims from Malta, Panama, Dallas, Valladolid, Torrelodones, Montesilvano and Cinisi as well as participants in the “Let’s choose life” demonstration and young people of the Fraternity of Blessed Mary Immaculate and Saint Francis of Assisi, of Reggio Emilia.

Francis Davis and Brenden Thompson told The Tablet: “As the Catholic trustees of the Bible Society we’re delighted that the first association the Pope has mentioned  is the Bible Society. It’s a delight especially because in 1824 Leo XII condemned us for being a secret society and  socialists for distributing Bibles in local languages!  The Society is committed to working with the Catholic community globally and  has enjoyed a formal collaboration with the Bishops Conference of England and Wales for several years.”

Rev Mark Woods, of Bible Society, who was there for the blessing, told The Tablet: “A few Bible Society staff had arranged a pilgrimage to Rome long before we knew it would coincide with the beginning of the ministry of a new pope. It was a huge privilege for us to be able to hear his first address in St Peter’s Square, and a very special moment when he mentioned Bible Society. We have a long-standing partnership with the Catholic Church through the God Who Speaks programme, and deeply appreciated both this gesture and the opportunity to spend some time with our Vice-President Cardinal Vincent Nichols later in the day.”

Today, Italy and other countries celebrate Mother’s Day. Pope Leo said, “I send a fond greeting to all mothers, with a prayer for them, and for those who are already in Heaven.”

Afterwards, accompanied by senior cardinals and clergy including Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States, he reopened the Papal Apartment in the Vatican, sealed on 21 April after the death of Pope Francis. He has decided to live in the Papal Apartment rather than the Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican guest house, where Pope Francis lived.

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