Pope Leo XIV has called for humanitarian aid to reach those in need in Gaza and for an end to the "heartbreaking" toll on its people, as he presided over his first general audience in St Peter's Square.

Axar.az, citing Euro News, reports that Pope Leo XIV, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, began the audience with a tour through the piazza in the popemobile and stopped to bless several babies.

"I renew my heartfelt appeal to allow the entrance of dignified humanitarian aid to Gaza and to put an end to the hostilities whose heartbreaking price is being paid by children, the elderly and sick people," he said.

In addressing specific greetings to different groups of pilgrims, he spoke in his native English, fluent Spanish and the traditional Italian of the papacy.