Pope renews call for peace in Ukraine, Middle East
April 19, 2026
At the conclusion of Sunday Mass today in Quilamba, Angola, Pope Leo XIV delivered a brief Regina Caeli address in Portuguese, the nation’s official language (video, 1:54:25).
Referring to the Regina Caeli, Pope Leo said that “with this joyful song, we do not wish to erase or stifle the cries of those who suffer, but instead to embrace and unite them with our own voices in a new harmony, so that even in pain the light of faith may remain alive, and with it, hope for a better world.”
Renewing his call for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East, the Pope said:
I am deeply saddened by the recent escalation of attacks against Ukraine, which continue to afflict civilians as well. I express my solidarity with those who are suffering and assure all the Ukrainian people of my prayers. I renew my call for weapons to fall silent and for the path of dialogue to be pursued.
The ceasefire announced in Lebanon, however, offers cause for hope; it represents a glimmer of relief for the Lebanese people and for the Levant. I encourage those who are working toward a diplomatic solution to continue peace talks, so that the cessation of hostilities throughout the Middle East may become permanent.
“Christ has conquered death, and it is with this certainty that all of us, united with him and in him as one Body, commit ourselves today and every day, despite obstacles and difficulties, to spreading around us the fruits of Easter that are love, true justice and peace,” the Pontiff concluded. “May the Mother of Jesus, Mother of our hearts, help us always to feel the presence of her risen Son, alive and strong, close to us.”
Pope Leo then chanted, in Latin, the Regina Caeli, before reciting, in Portuguese, the Minor Doxology (three times) and the prayer for the faithful departed.
CWN coverage of Pope Leo’s apostolic journey to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea:
Day 1 (April 13)
- Pope departs for Africa
- Pope Leo: ‘I have no fear of the Trump administration’
- I am ‘very happy’ to visit the land of St. Augustine, Pope says on flight to Algeria
- ‘The future belongs to men and women of peace,’ Pope says in first Algerian address
- Pope calls on Algeria’s leaders to promote ‘vibrant, dynamic, and free civil society’
- Pope visits Great Mosque of Algiers, recalls St. Augustine’s search for truth
- Pope emphasizes prayer, charity, unity in address to Algerian Catholics
Day 2 (April 14)
Day 3 (April 15)
- Pope bids farewell to Algeria, departs for Cameroon
- Pope, in remarks to journalists, highlights importance, relevance of St. Augustine
- Pope calls on Cameroon to embrace peace, break chains of corruption
- ‘Jesus cares especially for children like you,’ Pope tells orphans in Cameroon
Day 4 (April 16)
- Pope hails peacemaking efforts of Christian, Muslim leaders in Cameroon
- Now is the time to change this country, Pope preaches in Cameroon
- Pope meets with several Muslim leaders in Cameroon
Day 5 (April 17)
- ‘Bring the bread of life to your neighbors,’ Pope preaches in Cameroon’s largest city
- Societies flourish on the foundation of upright consciences that seek the truth, Pope tells university students
Day 6 (April 18)
- Draw near to the suffering and the poor, as Jesus did, Pope preaches at final Cameroon Mass
- Pope Leo departs from Cameroon, says his remarks there did not refer to President Trump
- Pope hails joy of Angola’s people, denounces extractivism
Day 7 (April 19)
- Pope, at Mass in Angola, warns faithful against syncretism, encourages them to ‘become like broken bread’
- Pope renews call for peace in Ukraine, Middle East
- May the Mother of the Heart make our hearts like hers, Pope says at Rosary in Angola
Day 8 (April 20)
- Pope flies to remote Angolan city, visits nursing home
- Reject superstition and follow Christ in freedom, Pope preaches at Mass in Angola
- ‘The first path is fidelity to Christ,’ Pope tells Angola’s priests and religious
Day 9 (April 21)
- Pope departs from Angola, heads to Equatorial Guinea
- Addressing journalists, Pope Leo recalls Pope Francis, says no date set to name new cardinals
- Serve the city of God and not love of self, Pope exhorts Equatorial Guinea’s leaders
- In Christ, the harmony between truth, reason, and freedom is manifest, Pope tells university community
- In Christian civilization, the sick are loved, Pope says at psychiatric hospital
Day 10 (April 22)
- Pope emphasizes the Eucharist and evangelization at Mass in Equatorial Guinea
- Pope tells prisoners: ‘No one is excluded from God’s love!’
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