Just days into his papacy, Pope Leo XIV has already broken with convention, delivering a first public message that struck chords far beyond the Vatican walls.
In his first Sunday noon blessing, Pope Leo XIV delivered a direct and urgent appeal to the world’s most powerful nations, calling for peace in war-torn regions and justice for the oppressed.
The address, delivered from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, marked the new pontiff’s first public message since assuming the papacy and drew a crowd of nearly 100,000 faithful to Vatican City. “I, too, address the world’s great powers by repeating the ever-present call ‘never again war,'” Pope Leo declared, his voice echoing across the packed square.
The Pope’s message centered on two of the globe’s most volatile conflicts: Ukraine and Gaza. Drawing on the words of his predecessor, Pope Francis, Leo described today’s world as caught in a “third world war in pieces.”
“I carry in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people,” he said. “Whatever is possible be done to reach an authentic true and lasting peace as quickly as possible.”
He called for the release of prisoners of war and the safe return of Ukrainian children displaced by the conflict. He also praised a ceasefire recently reached between India and Pakistan — a rare point of optimism in a speech that otherwise underscored the weight of ongoing global unrest.
Turning to the Middle East, Pope Leo made an urgent plea for a halt to the violence in Gaza. He urged for an immediate ceasefire calling for humanitarian aid to reach civilians and for all hostages to be released. He also asked for relief to be extended to the exhausted civilian population.
Sunday’s appearance was rich in symbolism. From his gestures on the balcony to his deliberate invocation of unity in a fractured Catholic Church, Leo seemed intent on positioning his papacy as one of reconciliation and bold truth-telling.
The tone he set appears to extend beyond global conflict. Even before his election, Pope Leo’s past statements and actions were being closely scrutinized. In the hours after the white smoke cleared, a series of old tweets resurfaced, revealing sharp criticism of U.S. political figures — notably JD Vance, now a key figure in the Trump administration.
One tweet read, “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,” linking to an article from National Catholic Reporter. Another tweet criticized Vance’s interpretation of religious duty in the context of immigration.
The Pope’s personal stance on immigration was further highlighted by comments from his brother, Mr. Prevost, who shared insight into Leo’s private convictions.
“I don’t think he’ll stay quiet for too long if he has something to say,” Prevost noted. “I know he’s not happy with what’s going on with immigration. I know that for a fact. How far he’ll go with it is only one’s guess, but he won’t just sit back. I don’t think he’ll be the silent one.”
We previously reported that during live news coverage centering around the election of Pope Leo XIV, ABC News’ Alex Perez had a chance to speak with Pope Leo’s brother, John Prevost, in Chicago.
While conversing, Prevost revealed a childhood story that indicated his brother would be the next pontiff. He also shared details from the last conversation he had with Pope Leo right before the Conclave.
“The interesting thing — I don’t know how many people will find it interesting,” Prevost began, “But when he was in first grade, a woman across the street that we used to play with the kids […] a woman down the street said he would be the first American Pope.” Perez, surprised, echoed, “First grade!?” to which Prevost confirmed, “Uh-huh!”
Still expressing shock, Perez questioned, “A random woman told him he would be the pope?” Prevost then clarified, “Well, they were neighbors, we knew them, but, yes! He knew at that age he was going to be a priest.”
What might have once been dismissed as a passing comment from a local woman now feels eerily pointed, casting Pope Leo’s early years in a new, almost fated light.
The story quickly made its way across social media platforms, where astonished viewers reacted with a mix of reverence and disbelief.
One netizen remarked, “Wow! He knew from first grade he would be a priest! He was definitely called to that life. And the neighbor’s prediction came true, impressive!”
Echoing the same amazement, another person stated, “Wow, he’s only in 1st grade and already being prophesied to become a pope. That’s mind-blowing 😮🤯,” while someone else observed, “Wow 😳😳😳, a prophecy on his papacy was dropped as a child.”
Others seemed just as captivated by the unnamed neighbor’s foresight. “need to know if that woman is still around to see this bc that’s wild to predict someone is going to be pope when they’re 7 [sic],” one person commented.
Another added, “WOW! That woman had the gift of prophecy!” Several netizens were touched by the idea that Pope Leo had understood his spiritual path so early on.
Some expressed admiration over how he recognized his calling at such a young age, with many describing the moment as “surreal” and “amazing.”
As the world continues to process the historic election of Pope Leo, his brother admitted he is still catching up. “To be honest, there hasn’t been a chance to think about it because it’s been constant phone calls, emails, messages, interviews,” he told Perez. “So I don’t think it’s really sunk in. It’s kind of surreal.”
Still, that surreal feeling is laced with immense pride. “This is an awesome thing in the sense that the first — not only pope but first American pope, pope from Chicago — and a relative,” marveled Prevost.
