VATICAN CITY — Jewish leaders got up-front seats at Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration Mass. An American rabbi there and other representatives saw that as a hopeful sign for an upswing of Catholic-Jewish relations under the first U.S.-born pontiff, after a strained relationship with his predecessor.

Pope Leo XIV called for peace in Gaza, Myanmar, and Ukraine during a Sunday blessing at the end of his inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square. Leo expressed hope for negotiations to bring a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine and offered prayers for the people of Gaza — children,

Pope Leo XIV, who was officially inaugurated on Sunday, has called on the world not to forget the many conflicts raging across the globe, singling out Gaza, Myanmar and Ukraine in particular. Praying for the people in the regions,