Pope Leo XIV Urges Global Leaders to Prioritize Peace in Easter Address
A large number of attendees gathered in St Peter’s Square on Sunday to witness Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Easter Mass speech as the leader of the Catholic Church. Positioned beneath the iconic white roses adorning the central balcony of Vatican Basilica, the pontiff emphasized the need for leaders to embrace peace over conflict. “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 proclaimed.
The Easter Mass was marked by vibrant spring blooms, with rows of daffodils and an array of purple, red, and white flowers meticulously arranged to reflect the season’s renewal. Before delivering his “Urbi et Orbi” blessing—meaning “to the city and the world”—Leo greeted the crowd below, his voice echoing across the square as he extended his message in Latin, Arabic, and Chinese.
“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.”
Leo, the first pope born in the United States, has grown increasingly critical of ongoing global conflicts, particularly the Iran war. In recent public addresses, he has repeatedly called for de-escalation and highlighted the need for reconciliation. His Easter sermon, however, avoided naming specific nations or disputes, focusing instead on the universal call to peace.
He paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, who delivered his final Easter address hours before his passing last year. Reflecting on the Easter narrative of Christ’s resurrection, Leo noted that Jesus remained “entirely nonviolent” despite enduring suffering. “Three days after being nailed to the cross, he rose with unwavering resolve,” the pope said, framing the message as a spiritual imperative.
As bells rang through the Vatican and the crowd applauded, Leo concluded his blessing with Easter greetings in multiple languages. The pope also announced plans to return to the basilica on 11 April for a peace prayer vigil. His Easter vigil sermon on Saturday night reinforced his stance, urging believers to resist apathy toward global strife and actively seek harmony.
Recently, Leo made a rare direct appeal to Donald Trump, encouraging the U.S. President to find an “off-ramp” to resolve tensions with Iran. This continued his pattern of addressing conflicts during Holy Week, stressing that the world must rekindle its moral response to war and suffering.
