In a powerful and symbolic first address as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday called for global peace, disarmament, and reconciliation.
His speech resonated far beyond St Peter’s Square, striking a moral chord in a world grappling with violent conflicts, deep political divides, and nuclear threats.
"Brothers and sisters dearest, this is the first greeting of Christ resurrected. I would like to offer a greeting of peace to reach your families, all of you, wherever you are. May peace be with you," Pope Leo XIV said to a crowd of tens of thousands gathered at the Vatican.
The newly elected pontiff, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, now becomes the first American pope in history. He was chosen on May 8, 2025, by the College of Cardinals after a swift conclave that reflected the Church’s urgency in uniting a fractured world under a message of hope and healing.
In his message, Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to his predecessor Pope Francis, calling him a “shepherd of peace,” and vowed to continue his legacy of humility and bridge-building.
He echoed this sentiment in his appeal to humanity: "Humanity needs Christ as a bridge to be reached by God and his love. Help us, and help each other, build bridges," he said.
The Pope’s words come at a time when the world is witnessing brutal warfare in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Tensions between nuclear powers—the United States, Russia, China, and North Korea—continue to grow, while smaller nations suffer from the ripple effects of arms races and foreign interference.
The United Nations reports that global military expenditure reached an all-time high of $2.2 trillion in 2023, even as peace talks and disarmament treaties have stalled or collapsed.
Pope Leo’s emphasis on peace and bridge-building offers a moral and spiritual challenge to global leaders to reduce arms and reinvest in dialogue.
Though he did not mention specific nations, Vatican sources confirmed that Pope Leo XIV intends to prioritize diplomacy and interfaith cooperation, following years of groundwork laid by Pope Francis.
The new pope is expected to leverage the Holy See's neutrality to open lines of communication in some of the world’s most entrenched conflicts.
His background as a missionary in Peru and his leadership of the Dicastery for Bishops give him a unique perspective on conflict at both grassroots and global levels.
Observers say his American origins may also help build diplomatic bridges between the West and regions where trust in U.S. foreign policy has waned.
Catholics and non-Catholics alike have responded to the pope’s message with admiration and inspiration. Peace advocates across the globe have also welcomed the pope’s words as a call to demilitarise and prioritise human dignity.
As the 1.3 billion-member Catholic Church adjusts to this historic transition, the world is now watching to see whether Pope Leo XIV’s words will be matched by action—within the Church and on the world stage.
But one thing is clear: in a world weary of war and division, his voice rises as a clarion call to peace, unity, and compassion.