Pope Leo XIV, the first American to head the global Catholic Church, pledged on Wednesday to make "every effort" for peace and offered the Vatican as a mediator in global conflicts, saying war was "never inevitable".

Pope Leo XIV declared full commitment to efforts for world peace. The Holy See supports fostering dialogue between enemies to restore hope and dignity to nations. Main Information Pope Leo XIV is committed to actions for world peace.

The Holy See exists so that enemies may meet and look each other in the eye—so that nations may rediscover the hope and dignity they are entitled to, the dignity of peace,” the pope said in his address.