Pope Leo XIV, on his popemobile, tours St. Peter's Square prior a Holy Mass for the Beginning of the Pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, in The Vatican on Sunday, May 18, 2025. -- Photo by Jacquelyn Martin / AFP
ROME (dpa): Pope Leo XIV, who was officially inaugurated on Sunday, has called on the world not to forget the many conflicts raging across the globe, singling out Gaza, Myanmar and Ukraine in particular.
Praying for the people in the regions, the new head of the Roman Catholic Church said on St Peter's Square: "Amid the joy of faith and communion, we must not forget those brothers and sisters who are suffering from war."
"In Gaza, children, families and elderly people who have survived are starving. In Myanmar, new hostilities have cost innocent lives.
"And tormented Ukraine is eagerly awaiting negotiations on a just and lasting peace," said Leo, speaking the Regina Caeli prayer in front of around 150,000 people.
According to the Holy See, Leo, the first US-born pope, is set to receive Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was among the many state guests who travelled to Rome to attend the ceremonial Mass, in the afternoon.
The pope is also due to meet US Vice President JD Vance, but no official time has been given yet. - dpa
