Rome, 11 May 2025 (dpa/MIA) - The new Pope Leo XIV used his first Sunday prayer in St Peter's Square to call for peace for the entire world, urging an end to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

From the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, the new head of the Catholic Church called out to tens of thousands of people: "Never again war!"

The first pontiff from the United States, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was cheered loudly time and again by the 100,000 police gathered in the Vatican.

Leo called for a "just peace" in Ukraine, a ceasefire in the Gaza war and the release of Israeli hostages held by Islamist extremists.

Crowds cheered loudly, repeatedly calling out his name in Italian: "Leone, Leone!"

The 69-year-old former missionary and head of the Augustinian Order was elected on Thursday as the successor to Francis, becoming the 267th pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. The conclave lasted less than 24 hours.

On Saturday, the new pope made one of his first trips outside the Vatican to visit the grave of his predecessor. He was taken to the Marian church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, where Francis was buried last month.

At the grave, which bears the simple Latin inscription "Franciscus," Leo prayed.

His grand inauguration is planned for Sunday next week, again in St Peter's Square.

Photo: Ansa