In his first Sunday blessing since assuming the papacy, Pope Leo XIV urged world leaders to pursue peace and reconciliation, delivering a powerful appeal from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
The 69-year-old pontiff, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was officially announced as the new head of the Catholic Church on Thursday, May 8. His inaugural Sunday address drew thousands of pilgrims, well-wishers, and curious onlookers to St. Peter’s Square, accompanied by celebratory marching bands.
During his address, Pope Leo XIV welcomed the recent ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, and called for a just and lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia. He also demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
“Never again war,” Pope Leo declared emphatically to the gathered crowd. Reflecting on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, he echoed the words of Pope Francis, warning that today’s numerous global conflicts resemble a “third world war in pieces.”
In a touching moment, the pope acknowledged Mother’s Day—celebrated in many countries on Sunday—offering blessings to all mothers, including “those in heaven.”
The address comes amid renewed attention to Pope Leo XIV’s past social media activity, with some labeling him ‘anti-Trump’ due to his frequent engagement with posts critical of former President Donald Trump and his administration. Most recently, he reshared a tweet criticizing U.S. immigration actions, quoting Washington Auxiliary Bishop Evelio Menjívar:
“Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed? How can you stay quiet?”
While the new pope has not directly commented on these claims, his first message to the world as pontiff suggests his focus will be on compassion, peace, and justice.
Pope Leo pictured waving to the masses from his balcony at the Vatican City (Francesco Sforza – Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)
The Independent also reported Leo as resharing a tweet which reads: “There is nothing remotely Christian, American, or morally defensible about a policy that takes children away from their parents and warehouses them in cages. This is being carried out in our name and the shame is on us all.”
The newly elected pope has also hit out at Trump’s vice president JD Vance, resharing an op-ed from the National Catholic Reporter titled: “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
The article came after comments Vance made to Fox News in February earlier this year, Vance saying: “There is a Christian concept that you love your family and then you love your neighbor, and then you love your community, and then you love your fellow citizens, and then after that, prioritize the rest of the world.
“A lot of the far left has completely inverted that.”
President Donald Trump pictured with first lady Melania Trump at Pope Francis’ funeral, last month (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
And Leo’s apparent criticism of Trump’s policies date even further back than that too, with one post being from 10 years ago.
In July 2015, Leo’s account reposted an article by New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan for The Washington Post.
The article is titled: “Why Donald Trump’s anti-immigration rhetoric is so problematic.”
The resurfaced comments follow shortly after Trump took to Truth Social to react to the announcement of the newly appointed pope.
What has Trump said about Pope Leo?
In a post to Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope.
“What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country.
“I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”
