Vatican: New Pope Leo XIV. Warns: “Never again war!”

The new Pope Leo XIV has used his first Sunday prayer for an appeal for peace around the world. In front of more than 100,000 people he called from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica: “Never again war!” The first Pontifex from the USA, the previous cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was cheered out for this. There were several speeches with his name in Italian: “Leone, Leone”. Leo XIV has been head of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide since Thursday.

The new Pontifex recalled almost exactly 80 years ago when it appeared at the end of World War II. Therefore, like his predecessor Francis, he wanted to “turn to the big ones in the world with an ever -current appeal: never war again!” Leo XIV particularly warned a “real, permanent and just peace” in Ukraine. With regard to the Gaza War, he called for a ceasefire and the release of the Israeli hostages, which are recorded by Islamist extremists.

Some are already talking about the “Peace Papst”

The 69-year-old, who will probably lead the church for many years, again focused on the desire for peace. Already at his first appearance right after the election, he had welcomed the waiting crowd with the sentence: “Peace was with all of you.” In general, it is expected that the former missionary in Peru sees himself as a “political pope” and will speak. On Sunday, however, he also did not forget to congratulate all mothers on Mother’s Day.

He emphasized the connection to his predecessor several times in the first few days. In one of his first paths outside the Vatican, Leo XIV visited his grave. On Saturday afternoon he had himself brought to the Marienkirche Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, where the Argentine’s final resting place is located. He prayed at his grave and put down a white rose. Francis had placed great importance on being buried in his favorite church in Rome and not in St. Peter’s Basilica.

However, Leo XVI. However, it is also clear that he wants to do a lot differently – for example with clothing. It is assumed that, in contrast to the predecessor, he wants to move to the Pope’s apartment in the Apostolic Palace. After prayer, he opened the seal, which had been attached to Francis’ death there. The Argentinian had lived his entire pontificate in a relatively modest apartment in the Vatican guest house. The apartment in the palace is now to be renovated.

Warning of the dangers of artificial intelligence

At a meeting with the cardinals still in Rome, Leo XIV also commented on other current topics. In particular, he warned of the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). The new technology will be one of the biggest challenges “for the defense of human dignity, justice and work” in the next few years.

The American was elected Pope 267 on Thursday. With the conclave in the Sistine chapel, he prevailed in just four ballots. Before the beginning, the 133 cardinals had to put an oath and keep silent. In the meantime, however, a lot penetrated: the African Cardinal Désiré Tsarahazana from Madagascar confirmed that Leo XIV received more than 100 votes in the last ballot. 89 would have been sufficient for the required two -thirds majority.

Speculation about the expiry of the conclusion

The head of the election, the Italian cardinal Pietro parolin, was the following information: “I think I don’t reveal a secret when I write that a very long and warm applause followed the assumption (the choice) followed” at this moment he was noticed a special “serenity” that shook from his face.

The 70-year-old slogan, previously number two of the Vatican, himself had been considered a top favorite. Despite the prescribed confidentiality, Italian newspapers speculated on the weekend about the course of the compliance, which did not even take 24 hours. However, there were different representations: The “Corriere della Sera” reported that Parolin had immediately declared that it was not available. Other leaves wrote that after three electoral courses he had cleared the way for Prevost.

This Monday, the new Pope receives several hundred journalists who had reported from the Vatican in the past three weeks since Francis’ death on Easter Monday. The big fair for its inauguration is planned for Sunday next week, again on St. Peter’s Square. State guests from all over the world are expected.

Vice President JD Vance will probably be there from Leo’s home country USA. President Donald Trump came to the funeral for Francis. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) probably travels from Germany, who could use the appointment for a first encounter with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.