“Never again war”. The first meeting of Pope Leon XIV with the faithful

The new Pope Leon XIV met with the faithful in the first southern prayer in St. Peter's Square. He spoke about the war in Ukraine. “Let everything that is possible be done to make a real, fair and lasting peace as soon as possible,” he said.

Leon XIV met with the faithful in the prayer of Regina Coel. He leads her from the balcony of the Basilica of Saint Peter.

The Pope turned to “the great of this world, repeating the current appeal: never again war.”

– In my heart I wear the suffering of my beloved Ukrainian people. Let everything that is possible to be done so that there is a real, fair and lasting peace as soon as possible – he said.

Crowds gathered in Saint Peter's Square.

Inauguration of the pontificate

Preparations for the inauguration of the Leon XIV pontificate, which will take place on May 18, are underway. According to the capital's authorities, about 250,000 people are expected to be expected. Numerous official delegations will also come.