The peoples of our world desire peace,” Pope Leo XIV said, “and to their leaders I appeal with all my heart: Let us meet, let us talk, let us negotiate! War is never inevitable.”

The new pontiff — the first from the United States — was elected on May 8 Pope Leo XIV held an audience with journalists and members of the media on May 12 He spoke about the importance of the press,

The first American pope succeeds Francis, preaching peace while confronting Church divides and urgent global crises.