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, St. Peter’s Square drew a massive crowd as Pope Leo XIV delivered his inaugural Easter Mass address. Surrounded by white roses on the central balcony of Vatican Basilica, the pontiff emphasized the need for leaders to prioritize peace over conflict. He urged those in positions of power to “abandon every desire for conflict, domination and power,” and to seek the Lord’s peace for a world burdened by war.

“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.

As the first U.S.-born pope, Leo has positioned himself as a prominent critic of the Iran war, using recent public speeches to advocate for de-escalation. Before his blessing, he waved to the congregation below, offering the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” greeting, meaning “to the city and the world.” The square was adorned with vibrant spring flowers, including rows of daffodils and an array of purple, red, and white blooms.

“We are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people,” the pope added.

Leo’s message avoided naming specific nations or conflicts, marking a departure from recent trends. He honored his predecessor, Pope Francis, who delivered his final Easter address hours before passing away last year. Drawing parallels to Christ’s resurrection after three days of crucifixion, the pope highlighted Jesus’ “entirely nonviolent” response to suffering.

With bells echoing through the Vatican and applause from the crowd, Leo concluded his address by sharing Easter greetings in multiple languages, including Latin, Arabic, and Chinese. He also announced plans to return to the basilica on April 11 for a peace prayer vigil. In recent weeks, the pope has consistently criticized global conflicts, urging believers to combat growing apathy toward war and its consequences.

During Saturday night’s Easter vigil, he encouraged followers to remain engaged in reconciliation efforts rather than grow desensitized to global strife. Notably, he made a direct appeal to Donald Trump on Tuesday, asking the U.S. president to identify a path to end the Iran conflict.