Addressing around 40,000 attendees, Leo XIV — the first American pontiff and previously Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago — delivered his message in English, Spanish, and Italian.
"I renew my heartfelt appeal to allow access for decent humanitarian aid and to end the hostilities, whose heartbreaking price is paid by children, the elderly and the sick," the pope said.
Leo also restated the Vatican's readiness to facilitate ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, as discussed recently with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.
