Pope Leo XIV waves from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, overlooking a crowd of tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square. AP Photo
In his first Sunday blessing as Pope, Leo XIV urged for genuine peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Addressing an audience of around 100,000 people from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo repeated the important message: “Never again war.” His call was aimed at the world’s major powers to stop the ongoing conflicts.
This Sunday blessing was Leo’s first official appearance after his election as pope, marking an important moment in his papacy. Leo had previously appeared on Thursday night to deliver a peace message following his election. Unlike his predecessors, who usually delivered the Sunday blessing from a side window of the Apostolic Palace, Leo stood in the heart of St. Peter’s Square, further emphasizing his commitment to unity within the Church.
Pope’s Symbolic Gestures: A Sign of Unity
In a departure from tradition, Pope Leo XIV also introduced the practice of singing the Regina Caeli prayer. This prayer, traditionally recited during the Easter season, was once said in Latin during the old Mass. Leo’s decision to sing it showed a blend of traditional and modern approaches, signaling his willingness to unite various factions of the Catholic Church, including conservatives and traditionalists.
Some Church members had been hoping that Leo would bring a more traditional approach, following what they viewed as a departure from tradition under Pope Francis. Leo, who previously served as bishop in Peru, had already shown his respect for tradition by wearing the formal red papal cape and brocaded stole, which are more familiar to traditionalists.
Calling for Peace in Ukraine and Gaza
In his remarks, Pope Leo expressed his deep concern for the suffering of the Ukrainian people due to the ongoing war with Russia. He called for a “genuine, just and lasting peace” and emphasized the need for the world to take action to end the violence. He referred to the situation as a “third world war in pieces,” following Pope Francis’ earlier statement on global conflicts. Leo also expressed a heartfelt call for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza’s exhausted population and for the release of all hostages caught in the ongoing crisis.
A Historic Day for Pope Leo XIV
The crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square reacted with enthusiasm, especially as the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang to mark the special occasion. Many pilgrims from around the world, including a group from Houston, Texas, expressed their joy at being part of this historic event. Some even brought their flags, showing the diversity and unity of the global Catholic community.
On the same day, Leo celebrated a private Mass in the grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. He prayed before the tombs of past popes, including Pope Paul VI, Pope Pius XII, and Pope Benedict XVI. These popes represented different strands of the Church, with Pope Paul VI being recognized for his efforts to modernize the Church, and Pope Pius XII and Benedict XVI seen as figures who emphasized traditional values.
The Beginning of Leo’s Papacy
Pope Leo XIV also attended the unsealing of the papal apartments, which had been sealed following the death of Pope Francis. Although Leo had initially slept in his old apartment in a Vatican palazzo, it remains to be seen whether he will move into the official papal apartments or use them for formal audiences. His decision will be closely watched as he continues to shape his papacy.
As Pope Leo XIV settles into his role, he will continue his busy schedule with several key audiences and preparations for his formal installation Mass next Sunday.
