"Pope Leo XIV called for a ceasefire in Gaza, the return of all hostages and peace in Ukraine during his first Sunday noon blessing as the bishop of Rome.

Leo said he carries "in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people," calling for "genuine, just and lasting peace as soon as possible," for prisoners to be freed and for children to be returned to their families.

He said there should be an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and called for humanitarian aid to be provided to the "exhausted civilian population" and for all hostages to be freed."

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