Pope Leo Welcomes India-Pak Ceasefire, Prays for Lasting Peace

During his first Sunday sermon to tens of thousands in St Peter's Square after being elected as the 267th Pope, Pope Leo XIV welcomed the India-Pakistan ceasefire as a "welcome development". Yet he also voiced concern that the delicate truce was already beginning to unravel with Pakistan breaching the deal and resorting to heavy shelling in Indian border towns.

Background of the Conflict

The conflict between Pakistan and India began with the April 22 attack on Pahalgam, where 26 civilians were killed as Pakistan-supported terrorists opened fire on tourists along the Baisaran Valley. India retaliated with Operation Sindoor, aiming at terrorist bases inside Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. The conflict deteriorated into a series of cross-border missile and drone attacks, which raised global fears of an all-out war.

International Response

US President Donald Trump posted on Twitter that, following intervention by his government, India and Pakistan had agreed to a ceasefire from 5 pm on May 10. The Pakistani Army, however, violated the ceasefire and fired artillery onto Indian land. The international community and also the G7 countries have appealed for restraint and de-escalation measures immediately to avoid further loss of lives.

Pope's Message of Peace

In his speech, Pope Leo XIV said, "Today's world is living through the dramatic scenario of a Third World War being fought piecemeal". He sympathized with the victimized people of Ukraine and called for negotiations in order to achieve an "authentic, just and lasting peace". The Pope also lamented the Gaza war and called for an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and liberation of hostages by Hamas.

Humanitarian Crisis

The conflict has been accompanied by high humanitarian issues, with civilian casualties and displacement being reported. The United Nations has made statements requesting restraint and diplomatic means to avert further escalation. The international community is engaged in efforts to broker dialogue and avert further escalation, with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir launching a mediation initiative.

Path to Peace

The immediate task now is to stop the violence and prevent further escalation. Diplomatic pressure from the United States and other world powers is necessary in order to sit both sides of the conflict down and negotiate. The South Asian region's stability is at stake and can only be ensured by addressing issues and laying down a mechanism for peaceful coexistence.