Pope Leo XIV made his first official public appearance since his election by leading the faithful in the traditional Regina Coeli prayer. Around 100,000 people filled St. Peter’s Square and the surrounding streets to witness the moment.
In a break from recent tradition, Pope Leo XIV appeared from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica rather than the window of the Apostolic Palace, which remained closed. Even more striking: the new Pope didn’t just recite the Regina Coeli—he sang it.
The message he delivered after was marked by a strong call for peace. The timing was significant: just days earlier, Europe commemorated the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Echoing his predecessor, Pope Leo XIV invoked Pope Francis' famous warning.
“In the current dramatic context of a Third World War in pieces—as Pope Francis so often said—I too appeal to the powerful of this world, repeating a call that remains ever relevant: Never again war.”
He specifically called for peace in Gaza and praised the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan. On Ukraine, the Pope urged an end to hostilities and advocated for the release of all prisoners. He also made a pointed appeal for the return of deported Ukrainian children to their mothers—a matter the Holy See has long been trying to mediate with Russian authorities.
Finally, marking Mother’s Day in Italy (celebrated on the second Sunday in May), Pope Leo XIV invited the faithful to pray for all mothers, including those, he said, “who are already in Heaven.”
JRB
Trans. CRT
