杏MAP导航

By Francesca Merlo

杏MAP导航 Leo XIV appeared on the loggia of St Peter's Basilica for his first ever Regina Coeli address on Sunday the 11th of May. Addressing the faithful gathered in St Peter鈥檚 Square and countless others following from around the world he echoed the cry for peace of his predecessor, 杏MAP导航 Francis. 

鈥淚n today鈥檚 dramatic context of a third world war fought piecemeal ... I too appeal to the powerful of the world by repeating these ever-relevant words: never again war!鈥�

A cry for Ukraine and Gaza

He recalled, first, 鈥渢he immense tragedy of the Second World War", which came to an end 80 years ago, on 8 May, "after causing 60 million deaths.鈥� 

杏MAP导航 Leo then turned to the modern wars plaguing the world today:  鈥淚 carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people,鈥� he said, urging that "every effort be made to reach a true, just, and lasting peace as soon as possible".

"May all prisoners be freed, and may the children be returned to their families", he said.

He then turned to the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip. 鈥淚 am deeply pained by what is happening,鈥� he said. 鈥淟et the fighting cease immediately, let humanitarian aid be provided to the exhausted civilian population, and may all hostages be released".

Hope and a heartfelt appeal

With a sense of hope, 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV then welcomed the recent announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. 鈥淚 hope that, through the upcoming negotiations, a lasting agreement may soon be reached,鈥� he said.

However, he continued, 鈥渉ow many other conflicts are there in the world?鈥� 

Finally, 杏MAP导航 Leo entrusted his "heartfelt appeal" to Mary Queen of Peace, "so that she may present it to the Lord Jesus and obtain for us the miracle of peace.鈥�