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Pope Leo decries ramp-up in Ukraine war, calls for ‘weapons to fall silent’

By Thomson Reuters Apr 19, 2026 | 6:20 AM

LUANDA, April 19 – Pope Leo on Sunday ​decried the ‌intensification of the war in Ukraine, calling “for the ‌weapons ​to fall ⁠silent and ⁠for the path of dialogue to be followed.”

The ​pope made the appeal ⁠after a ⁠Mass outside ​Angola’s capital Luanda ​that drew roughly 100,000 ‌people.

The first U.S. pope also praised the ⁠ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, to end ⁠fighting ‌between Israeli ⁠forces and ​Iran-backed ‌Hezbollah, as ​a “reason for ⁠hope.”

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet and Jane ​Merriman)