POPE LEO the 14th has called for an end to war in the world as he greeted crowds from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica today, in his second official public appearance since becoming the leader of the Catholic Church.

The first pontiff from the United States, addressed tens of thousands in St Peter’s Square gathered underneath him who cheered, applauded wildly and enthusiastically waved flags.

The new Chicago-born pope did not shy from world events in his public address following a prayer to the Virgin Mary, as he cited the recent 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, a conflict which killed 60 million people.