No more war, pleads Pope Leo as India and Pakistan pull back from the brink

Just a few days after being appointed as the 267th leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV utilized his first Sunday address to advocate for worldwide peace and expressed his approval of the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, after the two nuclear-armed nations narrowly averted another large-scale conflict last week.

Addressing thousands assembled at the Vatican on 11 May, the 69-year-old American-born pope stated:  

“I was pleased to learn, on a positive note, of the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, and I hold onto the hope that in the forthcoming negotiations we might swiftly achieve a lasting agreement.”

His comments came in the wake of heightened military tensions between the two nuclear-capable nations. Between May 6 and May 10, 2025, there was a marked escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan, representing one of the most serious clashes between the two nuclear-armed nations in recent history. The catalyst for the flare-up was a lethal attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, mainly Hindu tourists. Without presenting any proof, India blamed the attack on groups based in Pakistan and conducted retaliatory airstrikes against military sites, including the Nur Khan air base close to Islamabad. In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos, using drones and missiles to strike Indian military positions. 

The subsequent exchanges involved aerial combats, drone incursions, and artillery bombardments, resulting in considerable damage to infrastructure, with both sides attributing blame for instigating the violence. As tensions escalated, the United States intervened via backchannel diplomacy. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio directly communicated with the leaders of India and Pakistan to mitigate the crisis. A ceasefire was established on May 10, which Pakistan acknowledged was a result of US mediation. However, India credited its own military communications for the resolution.

In his speech, Pope Leo, formerly known as Bishop Robert Prevost, broadened his focus beyond South Asia. He also expressed profound concern regarding the genocide in Gaza and war Ukraine. Regarding the situation in Gaza, he stated he was “deeply pained” by the suffering of the people of the besieged strip and called for an immediate ceasefire, the accessibility of humanitarian aid, and the release of all hostages. Concerning Ukraine, he urged the global powers to do “everything within their capacity” to achieve a “true and lasting peace.”

Echoing the sentiments of his predecessor Pope Francis, he reiterated the call:  

“No more war.”

Pope Leo is scheduled for a formal inauguration on May 18, yet his initial message has clearly articulated his stance: in support of those affected by conflict and against individuals who perpetuate it.