Pope Leo XIV has urged for humanitarian assistance to be delivered to the Gaza Strip and called for an end to the “heartbreaking” suffering of its people, as he led his first general audience in St Peter’s Square, reports Breaking News.
According to the Vatican, around 40,000 people were present at the audience, which followed closely after an estimated 200,000 attended Sunday’s inaugural Mass for the first American to become pope.
Formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, Pope Leo began the event by riding through the square in the popemobile, pausing to bless several infants along the way, reports Breaking News.
In addressing various groups of pilgrims, Pope Leo spoke in English—his native language—as well as in fluent Spanish and the traditional Italian used for papal communications.
“I renew my heartfelt appeal to allow the entrance of dignified humanitarian aid to Gaza and to put an end to the hostilities whose heartbreaking price is being paid by children, the elderly and sick people,” he stated, reports Breaking News.
The Wednesday general audience is a long-standing tradition, offering the faithful a personal encounter with the pope. It typically includes a short papal reflection on a biblical or thematic topic, language-specific summaries from aides, and direct greetings to different groups.
The event, usually lasting over an hour, ends with the pope commenting on a pressing global issue or an upcoming occasion.
Leo began the gathering with his recurring phrase, “Peace be with you,” reports Breaking News.
In pursuit of peace, Pope Leo also reaffirmed on Tuesday the Vatican’s offer to host the next round of ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine. This was confirmed during a phone call with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, according to her office.
Meloni made the call following discussions with US President Donald Trump and other European leaders, who asked her to confirm the Holy See’s willingness to host the negotiations, reports Breaking News.
“Finding in the Holy Father the confirmation of the willingness to welcome the next talks between the parties, the premier expressed profound gratitude for Pope Leo XIV’s willingness and his incessant commitment in favour of peace,” read a statement from Ms Meloni’s office late Tuesday, reports Breaking News.
President Trump had referenced the Vatican’s standing offer during a call on Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
While preliminary talks could potentially take place in Rome, Italy would face legal constraints in allowing Mr Putin to attend in person, due to an active international arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. As a founding member of the ICC, Italy is legally bound to enforce its warrants, reports Breaking News.
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