​In Photos: Pope Leo XIV's first Sunday blessing draws thousands to St Peter’s Square in Vatican city​

Pope Leo XIV will give his first Sunday blessing and address to a crowd at the central balcony of St Peter's Square in the Vatican city today. He continued the tradition of giving a Sunday noon blessing. (Image: AP)

Ahead of his address, staff members decorated the balcony for the ceremony. Unlike previous popes, instead of speaking from the Apostolic Palace window, he stood at the centre of St Peter’s Square, at the heart of the Church. (Image: AP) (Image: AP)

Pope Leo XIV delivered his blessing from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica for his first Sunday blessing after his election. In his address, he called for peace in Ukraine, immediate ceasefire in Gaza with the release of hostages and delivery of humanitarian aid. (Image: AP)

Faithful waved flags from the United States as they waited for Pope Leo XIV to appear at the central balcony. St Peter Square was filled up with pilgrims, well-wishers and the curious, joined by multiple marching bands that made grand entrances into the square. (Image: AP)

On May 8, 2025, Pope Leo XIV was elected as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Born as Cardinal Robert Prevost, he was elected as the first US-born pontiff. The 69 year old bishop has assumed this position after the death of Pope Francis. (Image: AP)

A faithful reads a copy of the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano with the news of the election of Pope Leo XIV as they waited for him to appear at the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica. (Image: AP)

Faithful gathered to watch Pope Leo XIV. The mass stood at the area that also contained the tombs of past popes, including Pope Benedict XVI and St Peter, the apostle who is considered the be the first Pope. (Image: AP)

A priest celebrated the arrival of Pope Leo XIV. The Vatican said the pope was joined by the head of his Augustinian order, the Rev Alejandro Moral Anton. (Image: AP)

Nuns cheered during the appearance of Pope Leo XIV in Vatican city. The Pope also identified AI as a main challenge for humanity. (Image: AP)

Faithful from the Chiclayo, Peru, wave flags and reacted with the appearance of Pope Leo XIV. To many Peruvians, Leo is more than the first pope from the US He is also the first Peruvian pope. He arrived in Peru in 1985 as a missionary and have stayed there for 10 years. (Image: AP)