Pope Leo XIV expressed his willingness to take on the role of mediator in peace talks between the warring countries. Ukraine is grateful for such wise words, says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Pope Leo XIV has 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.

Pope Leo XIV called for a ceasefire in Gaza, the return of all hostages and peace in Ukraine during his first Sunday noon blessing as the bishop of Rome. The big picture: Leo's calls echo those of his predecessor,

"I spoke with Pope Leo XIV. It was our first conversation, but already a very warm and truly substantive one," reported Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a Monday post on the X platform. What do you need to know?

Pope Leo XIV gave his first blessing as pontiff this Sunday. In his speech, he called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. View on euronews

The Holy See Press Office confirmed on Monday that the two leaders had spoken after the pope expressed concern for Ukraine during his Sunday address.

Pope Leo XIV delivered his first Sunday blessing as pontiff, calling for unity in a polarized church and appealing to the world’s major powers for peace. He delivered his message to an estimated 100,000 people from the loggia of St.

Hector Camacho remembers Robert Prevost, set to be formally inaugurated as Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, as a young jeans-wearing missionary from Chicago with broken Spanish, landing in Peru at a time when the country was being torn apart by internal conflict.