Pope Leo asked that God would inspire world leaders to calm global tensions and reduce hatred in an address on Friday (May 8) to mark his first anniversary as head of the Catholic Church, a day after he met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican.

Leo, who has drawn the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump after criticizing the Iran war, asked worshippers to pray that global governments would turn away from violence.

In a visit to Pompei, a modern city about 245 km (152 miles) south of Rome near the famed ruins of a volcanic eruption, the pope said he would join their prayers that God would begin "touching hearts, calming rancor and fratricidal hatreds, and enlightening those who have special responsibilities of government."

Leo, the first U.S. pope, held talks with Rubio on Thursday (May 7) in an atmosphere of tension with Washington as Trump has repeatedly disparaged the pontiff on social media.

The Vatican said afterwards that the two had pledged to improve their bilateral relations, in what insiders said was an unusual recognition of unprecedented tensions.

The U.S. embassy to the Holy See said on X after the meeting that Leo and Rubio had discussed "topics of mutual interest in the Western Hemisphere."

Leo, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected by the world's cardinals to succeed the late Pope Francis as leader of the 1.4-billion-member Church on May 8, 2025.

Prevost, who spent decades as a missionary and a bishop in Peru before becoming pope, kept a relatively low profile in his first 10 months but has been speaking forcefully against war and despotism in recent weeks.

In his message to thousands in Pompei's main square on Friday, the pontiff lamented that world peace is "endangered by international tensions and by an economy that prefers the arms trade to respect for human life."

He urged people not to become accustomed to war.

"We cannot resign ourselves to the images of death that the news shows us every day," said Leo.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

POMPEI, ITALY (MAY 8, 2026) (VATICAN MEDIA - Access all)

1. MAN HOLDING BABY AT SANCTUARY

2. PEOPLE HOLDING PAPAL FLAGS

3. VARIOUS OF POPE LEO ARRIVING AND GREETING PEOPLE

4. VARIOUS OF POPE LEO ARRIVING ON STAGE / PEOPLE APPLAUDING

5. PEOPLE APPLAUDING

6. STATUE OF VIRGIN MARY

7. PEOPLE IN SQUARE

8. VARIOUS OF POPE ON POPE MOBILE GREETING CROWD (FIRST SHOT FREEZES AT SOURCE)

9. BELLS RINGING

10. POPE ARRIVING ON ALTAR

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

“Thank you, good morning everyone, good morning Pompei”

12. CHILD HOLDING DRAWING OF POPE

13. VARIOUS OF POPE ARRIVING FOR MASS

14. PEOPLE IN SQUARE

15. POPE MAKING SIGN OF CROSS

16. PEOPLE IN SQUARE

17. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING (STARTS WITH WOMAN PRAYING)

''Exactly one year ago, when I was entrusted with the Ministry of the Successors of (St.) Peter, it was precisely the Feast of the Virgin’s Intercession.''

18. PEOPLE APPLAUDING

19. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

"Two concerns remain as pressing as ever: the family, which is suffering from the weakening of the marital bond, and peace, which is being endangered by international tensions, and by an economy that prefers the arms trade to respect for human life."

20. PEOPLE APPLAUDING

21. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

''The wars still being fought in so many parts of the world call for a renewed commitment, not only economic and political, but also spiritual and religious. Peace begins in the heart.''

22. PEOPLE IN SQUARE

21. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

"We cannot resign ourselves to the images of death that the news shows us every day."

22. STATUE OF VIRGIN MARY

23. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

''May the God of peace pour out an abundance of mercy that touches hearts, soothes resentment and fratricidal hatred, and enlightens those who bear special responsibilities of government. Brothers and sisters, no earthly power will save the world, but only the divine power of love.''

24. BISHOPS APPLAUDING

25. VIEW OF CHURCH AND SQUARE