Thousands of people gathered at lunchtime on St. Peter's Square in the Vatican to see the newly inaugurated Pope Leo XIV deliver his first Sunday prayer from St. Peter's balcony.
Many countries' flags were represented in the audience to welcome the new pope, who, among other things, called for peace in Ukraine and a ceasefire and release of prisoners in Gaza.
I too am turning to the world powers by repeating the ever-relevant cry 'never again war', says the pope from the balcony.
Pope Leo was elected on Thursday as the 267th pope. He was appointed cardinal in 2023 by the recently deceased Pope Francis and has said he wants to follow in his predecessor's footsteps.
