VATICAN CITY, Rome — Urging global leaders and peoples of the world to put an end to war, Pope Leo XIV assured support for all who suffer while addressing the crowd from the window of the apostolic palace overlooking Saint Peter's square during the Angelus prayer in The Vatican.

The pope marked Ukraine's Independence Day on Sunday, pledging his prayers for the Ukrainian people in a message to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and encouraged Catholics to respond to Ukrainian religious leaders' request for prayers for peace.

"With a heart wounded by the violence that ravages your land, I address you on this day of your national feast," he said in his message to Zelenskyy.

Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union on August 24, 1991.

"I wish to assure you of my prayer for the people of Ukraine who suffer from war, especially for all those wounded in body, for those bereaved by the death of a loved one and for those deprived of their homes," the American pontiff wrote to the Ukrainian leader.

Leo prayed that God would console Zelenskyy's people, "strengthen the injured and grant eternal rest to the departed."

He likewise told the president he continued to pray that the Lord would "move the hearts of people of goodwill [so] that the clamor of arms may fall silent and give way to dialogue, opening the path to peace for the good of all."

"I entrust your nation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace," the pope wrote.

Posting the pope's message on X, Zelenskyy thanked Leo "for his thoughtful words, prayer and attention to the people of Ukraine amid devastating war.

"All of our hopes and efforts are for our nation to achieve the long-awaited peace. For good, truth, and justice to prevail. We appreciate @pontifex's moral leadership and apostolic support," he said.

After reciting the Angelus prayer, Leo also drew attention to the global prayer for Ukraine requested by the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religions.

"Today we join our Ukrainian brothers and sisters who, with the spiritual initiative 'Global Prayer for Ukraine,' ask the Lord to grant peace to their war-torn country," the pope told thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square.