VATICAN CITY (AP) 鈥� called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza with the release of hostages and delivery of humanitarian aid in his first Sunday noon blessing as pontiff.
鈥淣ever again war!鈥� Leo said from the loggia of St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica.
Recalling the end of World War II 80 years ago, Leo quoted Pope Francis in denouncing the number of conflicts ravaging the globe today, saying it was a 鈥渢hird world war in pieces.鈥�
Leo, the first American pope, also noted that Sunday was Mother鈥檚 Day in many countries and wished all mothers, 鈥渋ncluding those in heaven鈥� a Happy Mother鈥檚 Day.
The crowd, filled with marching bands in town for a special Jubilee weekend, erupted in cheers and music as the bells of St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica tolled.
It was the first time that Leo had returned to the loggia since he first appeared to the world from there on Thursday night following his remarkable election as pope, the first from the United States. Then too he delivered a message of peace.
Earlier Sunday, Leo celebrated a private Mass near the tomb of St. Peter with head of his , the Rev. Alejandro Moral Anton. The Mass occurred in the grottoes underneath St. Peter鈥檚, the traditional burial place of St. Peter, the apostle who is considered the be the first pope.
The area, which is normally open to the public, also contains the tombs of past popes, including Pope Benedict XVI.
Leo on Saturday of Pope Francis, located across town at the St. Mary Major Basilica.
The 69-year-old Chicago-born missionary was elected 267th pope on Thursday following the April 21 death of Francis.
St. Peter鈥檚 Square was packed with pilgrims, well-wishers and the curious, many holding up flags from their homelands. Leo gave many special groups a shoutout.
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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP鈥檚 with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Nicole Winfield, The Associated Press
