Pope Leo XIV has delivered his first Sunday blessing from the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica.
The new pope lead the Regina Coeli prayer in his second official public appearance since becoming the leader of the Catholic Church.
The noon prayer drew thousands of people anxious for a closer look at the pontiff, born Robert Francis Prevost, who before becoming the first US Pope spent much of his life as a missionary in Peru.
In his blessing, Pope Leo XIV 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.
‘Never again war!’ Leo said from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Recalling the end of World War II 80 years ago, Leo quoted Pope Francis in denouncing the number of conflicts ravaging the globe today, saying it was a ‘third world war in pieces.’
Leo also noted that Sunday was Mother’s Day in many countries and wished all mothers, ‘including those in heaven’ a Happy Mother’s Day.
The crowd, filled with marching bands in town for a special Jubilee weekend, erupted in cheers and music as the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica tolled.
The new pope lead the Regina Coeli prayer in his second official public appearance since becoming the leader of the Catholic Church
The noon prayer drew thousands of people anxious for a closer look at the pontiff, born Robert Francis Prevost
People gather with US flags at St Peter’s square with the St Peter’s Basilica in the background on the day Pope Leo XIV leads the Regina Caeli prayer, in the Vatican, on May 11, 2025
Pope Leo XIV also celebrated a private Mass on Sunday near the tomb of St Peter, before he delivered his noon blessing.
The Vatican said the Pope was joined by the head of his Augustinian order, the Rev Alejandro Moral Anton.
The Mass occurred in the grottoes underneath St Peter’s, the traditional burial place of St Peter – the apostle who is considered the be the first pope.
The area, which is normally open to the public, also contains the tombs of past popes, including Benedict XVI.
Hours before Leo appeared to the public, St Peter’s Square filled up with pilgrims, well-wishers and the curious, joined by multiple marching bands that made grand entrances into the square.
Addressing cardinals on Saturday, the 69-year-old called himself a ‘humble servant of God… and nothing more than this’, and an ‘unworthy successor’ to Saint Peter, according to a transcript of his speech released by the Vatican.
The Pontiff said he would be driven by the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis – who died April 21 aged 88 – ‘with his example of complete dedication to service and to sober simplicity of life’.
Cardinals chose Leo as the 267th Pope at a secret conclave Thursday.
Pope Leo will be formally inaugurated at a mass in St Peter’s Square next week on May 18.
This is a breaking news story, More to follow.
