Pope Leo calls for global leaders to choose peace in his first Easter Mass

Pope Leo Calls for Global Leaders to Choose Peace in His First Easter Mass

On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV addressed thousands of attendees at St Peter’s Square, delivering his inaugural Easter Mass speech as the leader of the Catholic Church. The event was set against the backdrop of vibrant spring blooms, with rows of daffodils and a colorful arrangement of flowers in purple, red, and white enhancing the scene. As the pontiff stood on the central balcony of the Vatican’s basilica, he emphasized the need for global leaders to prioritize peace over conflict.

Highlighting the significance of Easter, the pope urged those with the authority to initiate wars to embrace tranquility. “On this day of celebration, let us abandon every desire for conflict, domination, and power, and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars,” he declared. His message focused on addressing the growing apathy toward violence, as he noted the tendency of people to accept war and suffering without protest.

“We are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent, indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people,” the pope said. “Let those who have weapons lay them down. Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace.”

Unlike previous traditions, Leo XIV did not explicitly name any particular country or conflict in his address. This approach marked a departure from past practices, yet he paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, who delivered his final Easter Sunday message hours before his passing. Referring to the biblical account of Christ’s resurrection, the pope underscored Jesus’ “entirely nonviolent” response to suffering.

As bells echoed through the Vatican and the crowd responded with applause, Leo XIV concluded his blessing by offering Easter greetings in multiple languages, including Latin, Arabic, and Chinese. He also announced plans to return to the basilica on 11 April for a peace prayer vigil. In recent weeks, the pontiff has consistently criticized ongoing global conflicts, particularly during Holy Week addresses, warning against a deepening indifference to war and its consequences.

During Saturday night’s Easter vigil, he further encouraged believers to remain engaged in efforts for reconciliation rather than becoming desensitized to the scale of global strife. Notably, he made a rare direct appeal to Donald Trump, urging the U.S. president to seek a resolution to the conflict with Iran.