VATICAN CITY (MAY 11, 2025) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL) SHOTLIST: 1. POPE LEO XIV GREETING PEOPLE ON BALCONY OF ST. PETER'S BASILICA 2. VARIOUS OF POPE LEO XIV SPEAKING AND RECITING PRAYERS 3. POPE LEO XIV GREETING PEOPLE 4. VARIOUS OF CROWD OF PEOPLE OUTSIDE ST. PETER'S BASILICA / SOME PEOPLE WITH TRADITIONAL CLOTHES DANCING VATICAN CITY - MAY 11, 2025: Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, May 11, expressed deep sorrow over the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, and called for an immediate ceasefire. Pope Leo XIV, who was elected as the new pope during the papal conclave on May 8, delivered his first Sunday prayer from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. On the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including a block on humanitarian aid that has gone on for over two months, he said: “I am deeply pained by what is happening.” “Let the fighting cease immediately, let humanitarian aid be provided to the exhausted civilian population, and may all hostages be released,” he added. Nearly 53,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s genocidal war since October 2023, Palestine’s Health Ministry said on Sunday. On the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, he expressed hope for a “lasting agreement” between two South Asian nations, the Vatican News reported. “I hope that, through the upcoming negotiations, a lasting agreement may soon be reached,” he said in his first papal Sunday prayer from the balcony of St Peter’s Square. Recalling the “immense tragedy” caused by World War II, the newly chosen pontiff called on the powerful of the world to prevent a third world war, saying: “Never again war!” On the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, he said: “I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people. ” He urged that "every effort be made to reach a true, just, and lasting peace as soon as possible. May all the prisoners be freed. May children return to their families.” Leo’s first Sunday prayer was attended by a large crowd, and he took the opportunity to mark Mother's Day, extending his heartfelt congratulations to all mothers worldwide. Succeeding the late Pope Francis, American Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected the new pope last Thursday, taking the name Leo XIV – the first American-born pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church.