Pope Leo commemorated his first year leading the Catholic Church by calling on world leaders to ease international tensions and reject violence during a Friday address, coming just one day after meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican.
The pontiff, who has faced criticism from President Donald Trump over his opposition to the Iran war, encouraged followers to pray for governments worldwide to abandon violent approaches.
During his visit to the modern city of Pompei, located approximately 152 miles south of Rome near the famous ancient volcanic ruins, Leo said he would join in prayers for God to begin “touching hearts, calming rancour and fratricidal hatreds, and enlightening those who have special responsibilities of government.”
Leo, who became the first American pope, conducted discussions with Rubio on Thursday amid ongoing diplomatic strain with Washington, as Trump has frequently criticized the religious leader through social media posts.
Vatican officials reported afterward that both parties committed to strengthening their diplomatic relationship, which sources described as an uncommon acknowledgment of extraordinary tensions between the two entities.
Following the meeting, the U.S. embassy to the Holy See posted on X that Leo and Rubio had explored “topics of mutual interest in the Western Hemisphere.”
Leo, previously known as Cardinal Robert Prevost, was chosen by cardinals worldwide to replace the late Pope Francis as leader of the Church’s 1.4 billion members on May 8, 2025.
Prevost, who dedicated decades to missionary work and served as a bishop in Peru before his papal election, maintained a modest public presence during his initial 10 months but has recently become more vocal against warfare and authoritarian rule.
Speaking to thousands gathered in Pompei’s central square on Friday, the pope expressed concern that global peace faces threats from “international tensions and by an economy that prefers the arms trade to respect for human life.”
He encouraged the crowd to resist becoming desensitized to conflict.
“We cannot resign ourselves to the images of death that the news shows us every day,” Leo stated.
