Pope Leo XIV has called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza with the release of hostages and delivery of humanitarian aid.

The pope entered the church and stopped to pray, first in front of the altar and then in front of the image of the Virgin Mary, where he recited Pope John Paul II’s prayer to the Mother of Good Counsel, according to the Vatican press room.

American Pope Leo XIV stunned the world in his first public address by boldly calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza—directly clashing with U.S. President Donald Trump's stance on the conflict. Speaking to over 100,