'Never again war': Pope Leo XIV welcomes India-Pak ceasefire, calls for Ukraine peace, Gaza hostage release

A day after India agreed to a ceasefire with Pakistan, Pope Leo XIV welcomed the move, hoping negotiations could lead to a lasting peace.

Praying God will give the world a "miracle of peace", Pope appealed from the loggia of St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City: "Never again war!" This echoes Pope Francis's words during his historic visit to the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 6, 2015, when he said, "Never again war!"

The pontiff also called for peace between Russia and Ukraine. This comes a day after Russian president Vladimir Putin said he ready for "direct talks" with Ukraine without any preconditions. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Putin must agree to a ceasefire before talks can be held.

Pope Leo also called for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 69, a former missionary, was elected pope on May 8. This is his first Sunday speech since being elected as Pope Francis's successor.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday thanked the Indian armed forces for giving a befitting reply to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. He was speaking while inaugurating the BrahMos Missile production unit in Uttar Pradesh.

Despite the ceasefire, India has decided to continue suspending the Indus Water Treaty. India had declared earlier that the ceasefire was unconditional without involving any negotiation. India also did not reverse its decision to ban trade with Pakistan or close the airspace. 

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