Pope Leo XIV sought humanitarian assistance to reach those in need in Gaza and called for an end to the “heartbreaking” sacrifices to the people as he presided over his first general audience at St. Peter’s Square.
The Vatican said about 40,000 people were on hand for the audience a few days after 200,000 attended the first mass on Sunday for the first US Pope of history.
Pope Leo XIV, former Chicago cardinal, started an audience on tour through the Popemovie Square and stopped to celebrate several babies.
In dealing with specific greetings to various groups of pilgrims, he spoke in native English, fluent Spanish, and traditional Italian of the Pope.
“I will renew the Hartfelt appeal to allow a dignified entrance to humanitarian assistance to Gaza and end hostilities where heartbreaking prices are being paid by children, elderly people and sick people,” he said.
Wednesday’s general audience is the weekly appointment the Pope has maintained for decades to allow ordinary loyal people to have face-to-face encounters with the Pope.
It is characterized by a brief reflection of the themes and Bible passages, with the summary provided by others in other languages and the pope directing a specific message to a particular group of faith.
Encounters that last for more than an hour usually end with the fascination of short talks about current issues and upcoming events by the Pope.
Pope Leo XIV began it with his now frequency mantra, “Peace is with you.”
Ukrainian Peace Conference at the Vatican?
On Tuesday, the Pope reaffirmed the Vatican’s willingness to hold the next round of ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine in a call with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister said.
Meloni called after speaking to President Donald Trump and other European leaders.
“When he found confirmation of his Holy Father’s willingness to welcome the next meeting between political parties, the Prime Minister expressed his deep gratitude to Pope Leo XIV for his willingness and his constant commitment to peace,” Meloni’s office said in a statement.
Trump also mentioned the offer to host a long-standing Vatican speech when reporting his phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.
Low-level consultations could occur in Italy, but authorities will struggle to allow Putin to fly to Rome for a higher level of negotiations.
Putin is subject to an international arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court. In this criminal court, Italy is an established member and therefore has an obligation to execute its warrants.
