Pope Leo XIV has called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza with the release of hostages and delivery of humanitarian aid.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has invited the new Pope Leo XIV to visit the country after holding his first phone call with the pontiff on Monday. "Such a visit would bring real hope to all believers and to all our people,

The pope entered the church and stopped to pray, first in front of the altar and then in front of the image of the Virgin Mary, where he recited Pope John Paul II’s prayer to the Mother of Good Counsel, according to the Vatican press room.