February 26, 2026 08:00 am (IST)
Follow us:
facebook-white sharing button
twitter-white sharing button
instagram-white sharing button
youtube-white sharing button
India-US trade deal at risk? Trump imposes massive 126% duty on solar imports | ‘My life reflects this reality’: Shooter Tara Shahdeo recalls forced conversion amid Kerala Story 2 row | Modi begins Israel visit to boost defence, tech and strategic ties | Trump claims Pakistan PM told him he prevented 35 million deaths by stopping India-Pakistan conflict | Supreme Court's big move over Bengal SIR! Odisha, Jharkhand judicial officers allowed to complete revision process | ‘Kerala lives in harmony, film’s portrayal wrong’: Kerala High Court raps Kerala Story sequel makers | AI panic hits IT giants: Infosys, TCS, Wipro lead massive market rout as stocks sink to alarming lows | ‘No systemic risk’: Sanjay Malhotra breaks silence on ₹590 crore IDFC First Bank Limited fraud | India urges all nationals to leave Iran 'by available means' as US-Iran tension grows | India shines at BAFTA! All you need to know about Manipuri film Boong that stunned global cinema
Pope Leo XIV
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV. Photo Courtesy: Vatican News X page video grab

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV on Sunday delivered his first message to crowds in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City when he welcomed the ceasefire agreement reached between India and Pakistan, amid tensions escalating between the two warring neighbours following the Pahalgam terror attack.

Reacting to the deal reached between the two nucelar-armed countries that have fought multiple wars since they came to existence in 1947, Pope said: "I hope that, through the upcoming negotiations, a lasting agreement may soon be reached."

Gaza

He said he felt deeply pained by seeing the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

"Let the fighting cease immediately, let humanitarian aid be provided to the exhausted civilian population, and may all hostages be released," he said.

Israel invaded Gaza after Hamas group targeted the West Asian country and killed 1200 people and took 251 people hostage during their October 7, 2023 attack.

Ukraine

Pope Leo XIV said he carried in his heart the sufferings of the Ukrainian people.

He said every initiative should be taken to reach a true, just, and lasting peace in the region.

He remarked at a time when Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed direct talks with Ukraine, aiming to end the bloody three-year war.

'Never Again War'

In his message sent to world leader's, the Pope said, “In today’s dramatic context of a third world war fought piecemeal ... I too appeal to the powerful of the world by repeating these ever-relevant words: never again war!”

He recalled that May 8 marked the 80th year of the completion of the Second World War, which had left 60 million people dead.

US Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected in a surprise choice as the new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday, taking the name Leo XIV, becoming the first American pontiff.

He is the new leader of the 1.4 billion Catholics.

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.

Support objective journalism for a small contribution.