Pope Leo XIV Urges Peace at Easter Mass, Calls for De-escalation
Pope Leo XIV Urges Peace at Easter Mass, Calls for De-escalation
In his first Easter Mass, Pope Leo XIV calls for peace amid global tensions, urging leaders to lay down weapons and choose restraint.
Thousands of worshippers gathered in St Peter's Square for Pope Leo XIV's first Easter Mass as pontiff, framed by white roses and spring blooms in the Vatican. In his address, he urged those with the power to unleash wars to choose peace, saying, '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.'
Although the message did not name specific countries, it echoed calls for de-escalation amid a world fractured by conflict and tensions around Iran. The pope has become a vocal critic of ongoing wars and a proponent of nonviolence.
Leaning on the Easter story of Christ's resurrection, he noted Jesus was 'entirely nonviolent' in the face of suffering and renewed a plea for weapons to be laid down.
St Peter's Square was awash with color—from daffodils to thousands of purple, red and white flowers—setting a hopeful scene for the crowd as bells rang and the Urbi et Orbi blessing was delivered, meaning 'to the city and the world.'
Unlike recent tradition, Leo did not explicitly name any country or conflict. He paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, whose Easter address last year was his final. The message underscored the pope's ongoing focus on de-escalation and humanitarian concern as battles continue around the globe.
