Pope Leo XIV has 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.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has invited the new Pope Leo XIV to visit the country after holding his first phone call with the pontiff on Monday. Writing on his official X handle after what he called a warm and truly substantive discussion with the new head of the Catholic Church,

The pontiff held his first meeting with the news media at the Vatican and called on reporters to choose “the path of communication in favor of peace.”