Vatican clerks prepare the loggia ahead of Pope Leo XIV appearance at the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica for his first Sunday blessing after his election, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, May 11, 2025.(AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)2025-05-11T09:54:52Z VATICAN CITY (AP) Pope Leo XIV 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 in his first Sunday noon blessing as pontiff. Never again war! Leo said from the loggia of St. Peters 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 Mothers Day in many countries and wished all mothers, including those in heaven a Happy Mothers Day.The crowd, filled with marching bands in town for a special Jubilee weekend, erupted in cheers and music as the bells of St. Peters Basilica tolled.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. APs earlier story follows below.VATICAN CITY (AP) Pope Leo XIV celebrated a private Mass on Sunday near the tomb of St. Peter, before he was to deliver his first Sunday noon blessing from the loggia of St. Peters Basilica. The Vatican said the pope was joined by the head of his Augustinian order, the Rev. Alejandro Moral Anton. The Mass occurred in the grottoes underneath St. Peters, the traditional burial place of St. Peter, the apostle who is considered the be the first pope. The area, which is normally open to the public, also contains the tombs of past popes, including Pope Benedict XVI. With still an hour to go before Leo was to appear to the public, St. Peters Square was filing up with pilgrims, well-wishers and the curious, joined by multiple marching bands that made grand entrances into the square.Leo on Saturday prayed before the tomb of Pope Francis, located across town at the St. Mary Major Basilica.The 69-year-old Chicago-born missionary was elected 267th pope on Thursday, the first American pope. He appeared to the world from the same loggia, offering a message of peace and unity.___Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. NICOLE WINFIELD Winfield has been on the Vatican beat since 2001, covering the papacies of St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and the Francis pontificate and traveling the world with them.