Pope Leo XIV has expressed his readiness to serve as a mediator in ongoing global conflicts, pledging to make every possible effort to ensure peace prevails among nations at war.
Addressing members of the Eastern Catholic Churches on Wednesday at the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican, the newly elected US-born pontiff, who ascended to the papacy last week following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, delivered a heartfelt message centered on peace and perseverance.
In his speech, the head of the Catholic Church, which numbers 1.4 billion faithful worldwide, made a passionate plea to Christians living in the Middle East, urging them not to forsake their homes despite the ongoing turmoil.
“Who, better than you, can sing a song of hope even amid the abyss of violence?” he asked, as he reflected on regions plagued by unrest. “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!”
Calling for continued prayer and engagement in peace efforts, the pope emphasized his personal commitment to fostering reconciliation.
“For my part, I will make every effort so that this peace may prevail,” he stated.
Reiterating the Vatican’s longstanding role in peacebuilding, he added, “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.”
Appealing directly to global leaders, he continued, “The peoples of our world desire peace, and to their leaders I appeal with all my heart: Let us meet, let us talk, let us negotiate!”
The event marked a pre-scheduled gathering in preparation for the 2025 Jubilee Holy Year, dedicated to the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches found across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, India, and parts of Africa.
Peace has emerged as a central theme in Leo XIV’s early addresses. During his speech, he expressed gratitude to those working tirelessly to build harmony in conflict-ridden areas.
“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 said.
He concluded with a plea for practical support, “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!”