'Miracle of peace': Pope Leo XIV welcomes ceasefire between India and Pakistan in first Sunday appearance

Pope Leo XIV in his first Sunday noon blessing as pontiff welcomed the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, adding that he was praying to God to grant the world the "miracle of peace"

"Never again war!" Leo said from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica.

Recalling the end of World War II 80 years ago, Leo quoted Pope Francis in denouncing the number of conflicts ravaging the globe today, saying it was a "third world war in pieces."


Leo also recalled that Sunday was Mother's Day in many countries and wished all mothers, "including those in heaven" a Happy Mother's Day.

The crowd, filled with marching bands in town for a special Jubilee weekend, erupted in cheers and music as the bells of St. Peter's Basilica tolled.

Pakistan violates ceasefire:
Amid Pakistan violating agreement with India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, EAM Dr S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, CDS, Chiefs of all three services at his residence.

After the accord was reached and had gone into effect at 5 pm on Saturday, India on Saturday said that Pakistan had violated an agreement to stop military action against each other.

"For the last few hours, there have been repeated violations of the understanding arrived at earlier this evening," foreign secretary Vikram Misri said at a televised briefing late on Saturday. "The armed forces are giving an adequate and appropriate response to these violations. We call upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address these violations and deal with the situation with seriousness and responsibility."

Read more: Pakistan violates agreement to stop military action, India retaliates swiftly

Srinagar was rocked by multiple blasts at around 8:50 pm that continued intermittently for at least 40 minutes on Saturday night. Similar reports came in from other parts of Kashmir, including Anantnag in the south and Baramulla in the north. Electricity was shut across the Valley.