In a powerful and heartfelt appeal for peace, newly elected Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday offered to mediate between world leaders in conflict, pledging to “make every effort so that this peace may prevail.”
Speaking during a Vatican audience with members of the Eastern Catholic Churches, the first-ever American pontiff condemned the ongoing violence in multiple global hotspots — from the Holy Land to Ukraine, Lebanon to Syria, and Tigray to the Caucasus.
“From the Holy Land to Ukraine, from Lebanon to Syria, from the Middle East to Tigray and the Caucasus, how much violence do we see!” the Pope lamented before a packed Paul VI Hall.
He urged Christians, particularly those living amid conflict in the Middle East, not to abandon their ancestral homes.
“Who, better than you, can sing a song of hope even amid the abyss of violence?” he asked, adding that their perseverance is a living testament to faith and resilience.
Call to Dialogue and Peace
Pope Leo XIV emphasized the Holy See’s readiness to serve as a neutral mediator to facilitate dialogue among warring factions.
“The Holy See is always ready to help bring enemies together, face to face, to talk to one another, so that peoples everywhere may once more find hope and recover the dignity they deserve — the dignity of peace,” he said.
In a direct appeal to world leaders, he added:
“Let us meet, let us talk, let us negotiate! The peoples of our world desire peace, and to their leaders I appeal with all my heart.”
Support for Christians in the Middle East
The Pope also acknowledged the hardship faced by Christians in conflict zones and expressed gratitude to those who have remained in their homelands despite escalating violence.
“I thank God for those Christians — Eastern and Latin alike — who, above all in the Middle East, persevere and remain in their homelands, resisting the temptation to abandon them.”
He called for concrete action from governments and international organizations to ensure that Christians are not only allowed but empowered to live safely in their native regions.
“Christians must be given the opportunity, and not just in words, to remain in their native lands with all the rights needed for a secure existence. Please, let us strive for this!”
A Pontificate Rooted in Peace
Pope Leo XIV, who succeeded Pope Francis following his death on April 21 at age 88, has made peace and reconciliation central themes of his pontificate since taking office last week. Wednesday’s address marked one of his first major public engagements ahead of the 2025 Jubilee Holy Year, which celebrates the unity and diversity of the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches across Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa.
