Pope Leo XIV, during his first general audience in St. Peter’s Square, called for urgent humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and an end to the ongoing hostilities impacting vulnerable populations. Addressing an audience of approximately 40,000, he emphasized the “heartbreaking” toll on children, the elderly, and sick individuals. Unlike his predecessor Pope Francis, Leo did not mention hostages taken by Hamas during the recent conflict that began on October 7, 2023.
The audience, a tradition allowing the faithful to connect personally with the pope, featured Leo speaking in English, Spanish, and Italian, and included a blessing of babies from the popemobile. He reiterated his message of peace, starting with the phrase “Peace be with you,” and offered a brief reflection before addressing current global issues and events.
In addition to his comments about Gaza, Leo reaffirmed the Vatican’s commitment to hosting future ceasefire discussions between Russia and Ukraine. This came during a call with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, who expressed appreciation for the pope’s commitment to peace. The Vatican confirmed its readiness to facilitate talks after Meloni’s conversations with international leaders, including Donald Trump, who referenced the Holy See’s longstanding offer to mediate.
While low-level negotiations could occur, legal constraints may hinder more significant discussions, particularly due to an international arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin, complicating the logistics for high-level meetings in Rome. Overall, Leo XIV’s messages reflect a strong focus on humanitarian issues and a desire for peaceful resolutions to ongoing conflicts.
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