Pope Leo XIV made his debut on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, leading the Regina Coeli prayer. He also spoke clearly about his stance on the war in Ukraine. "I too appeal to the powerful of the world by repeating these ever-relevant words: never again war!

Leo said the world was living through "the dramatic scenario of a Third World War being fought piecemeal," repeating a phrase coined by Pope Francis.

The peoples of our world desire peace,” Pope Leo XIV said, “and to their leaders I appeal with all my heart: Let us meet, let us talk, let us negotiate! War is never inevitable.”