During his General Audience May 28, the Holy Father again called for a ceasefire in Gaza and peace in Ukraine and asked all people to pray for every place suffering from war.
“In these days, my thoughts turn often to the Ukrainian people, affected by serious new attacks against civilians and infrastructure,” Pope Leo XIV said. “I assure all the victims, in particular children and families, of my closeness and my prayer. I strongly reiterate my appeal to stop the war and to support every initiative of dialogue and peace. I ask everyone to join in prayer for peace in Ukraine and wherever there is suffering because of war.”
Pope Leo’s call for peace in Ukraine came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected President Donald Trump’s offer to hold peace negotiations at the Vatican, as Fox News reported.
At the end of the audience, Pope Leo XIV also called for a ceasefire in Gaza.
“In the Gaza Strip, the cry of mothers, of fathers who clutch the lifeless bodies of children and who are continually forced to move in search of a little food and safer shelter from bombing, rises ever more intensely to the sky,” he said. “I renew my appeal to the leaders: cease fire, release all hostages, fully respect humanitarian law. Mary Queen of Peace, pray for us.”
>> Priest at Gaza parish expresses gratitude for Pope Leo’s solidarity and appeals for peace <<