Pope Leo calls for an end to wars around the world
Pope Leo. Photo: Vatican News
On May 11, 2025, during his first Regina Coeli address, Pope Leo issued a strong appeal for an end to all armed conflicts around the world, reports Vatican News.
"In today’s 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!" declared Pope Leo, continuing the peace-oriented legacy of his predecessor.
In his address, the Pope recalled the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which “claimed the lives of 60 million people”.
He gave particular attention to the situation in Ukraine. “I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people,” he said, urging that "every effort be made to reach a true, just, and lasting peace as soon as possible". The Pontiff also stressed the need to free all prisoners and reunite children with their families.
Earlier, the UOJ analyzed what Pope Leo’s pontificate might be like.
Read also
Middle East Council of Churches calls for protection of Christians in the region
Christian churches in the Middle East warned of growing threats to the region’s Christian communities and a worsening humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, urging the international community to step up support.
Albanian Archbishop: First in Orthodoxy does not mean supreme
The head of the Albanian Church spoke to UOJ about Orthodox unity, the limits of national identity, and the role of humility in Orthodoxy’s witness to the world.
Poland begins phasing out social benefits for Ukrainian refugees
A new law has taken effect in Poland providing for a gradual reduction in social benefits and some other support measures introduced for Ukrainian refugees after 2022.
Metropolitan Arseniy unable to attend court hearing due to hospitalization
The abbot of the Holy Dormition Sviatohirsk Lavra was absent from a hearing at the Checheliv District Court in Dnipro as he is undergoing inpatient medical examinations at a clinic in Kyiv.
Lawsuit сlaims Google’s Gemini AI drove man to suicide
In the United States, the father of a 36-year-old man has filed a lawsuit against Google, claiming the Gemini AI chatbot pushed his son toward suicide.
Court orders release of Armenian Church chancellery head
An appeals court in Yerevan has overturned the archbishop’s detention in a case widely described as politically motivated.