New Delhi, May 11 -- In his first Sunday message to crowds in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, Pope Leo XIV has appealed to the world for "no more war".

He called for an "authentic and lasting peace" in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and the release of all Israeli hostages held by militant group Hamas.

The new pope, elected on May 8, also welcomed the recent fragile ceasefire between India and Pakistan, and said he was praying to God to grant the world the "miracle of peace."

Tens of thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square and on the Via della Conciliazione broke into applause as the Pope made a call for peace in the world.

Repeating a frequent call of late Pope Francis - "No more war" - Leo also noted the recent 80th ann...