Pope Leo XIV holds first General Audience, calls for humanitarian aid to be allowed in Gaza Strip

In the first General Audience of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV today called for humanitarian aid to be allowed in the Gaza Strip and resumed catechesis following the Jubilee theme “Jesus Christ Our Hope,” which the late Pope Francis had started.

“The situation in the Gaza Strip is increasingly worrying and painful,” Pope Leo said in the May 21 address. “I renew my heartfelt appeal to allow the entry of dignified humanitarian aid and to put an end to the hostilities, the heart-rending price of which is being paid by children, the elderly and the sick.” ---More...

Pope Leo XIV spoke to the English-speaking pilgrims in his first General Audience:

“Today and everyday, let us ask the Lord to open our hearts to His saving word and His power to transform and enrich our lives, and enrich the world in which we live.” pic.twitter.com/3ezVwmaTQu

— CatholicVote (@CatholicVote) a href="https://twitter.com/CatholicVote/status/1925230768298623182?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2025