Pope Leo XIV commits to global peace efforts
Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, made a firm commitment on May 14 to dedicate himself to peace efforts globally. He expressed the Vatican’s willingness to serve as a mediator in international conflicts, emphasizing that war is "never inevitable." Having been elected just a week earlier to succeed Pope Francis, Leo's papacy has been marked by a consistent call for peace. His first public address in St. Peter's Square was a message of peace: "Peace be with all of you."
Addressing representatives of Eastern Catholic Churches, which are located in regions like Ukraine, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq places often affected by war and persecution Leo reinforced the Vatican’s readiness to assist in reconciling opposing sides. "The Holy See is always prepared to help bring adversaries together in dialogue, fostering hope and dignity through peace," he stated. The Pope condemned the inevitability of war, asserting that weapons only escalate problems and that true history is made by those who champion peace, not by those who cause suffering.
Pope Leo also cautioned against simplistic narratives dividing the world into "good" and "evil," reminding his audience that neighbors are not enemies, but fellow human beings. On May 11, Leo called for a genuine and lasting peace in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and celebrated the fragile ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
In his first meeting with a foreign leader, he spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on May 12. Zelenskyy, who hopes to attend the Pope's upcoming inauguration in St. Peter’s Square on May 18, expressed his desire for peace talks during this visit, as confirmed by his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak.
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