Pope Leo calls for global leaders to choose peace in his first Easter Mass
Pope Leo XIV’s Easter Address
On Sunday, a large number of worshippers gathered in St Peter’s Square to listen to Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Easter Mass speech as pontiff. Surrounded by white roses on the central balcony of Vatican’s basilica, the pope urged global leaders to prioritize peace. “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.
Symbolism and Message
The square was adorned with vibrant spring blooms, featuring rows of daffodils and a profusion of purple, red, and white flowers for the Easter Mass. Reflecting on Christ’s resurrection, Leo highlighted the nonviolent nature of Jesus during his suffering, emphasizing this as a lesson for modern times. “We are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent, indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people,” he said in a
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Global Peace Advocacy
As the first US-born pope, Leo has increasingly criticized the Iran war and other international conflicts. In recent Holy Week addresses, he warned against a rising apathy toward war and suffering. Notably, he avoided naming specific nations or conflicts in his Easter message, marking a departure from past traditions. He paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, who delivered his final Easter speech hours before passing away last year.
During the ceremony, Leo concluded with the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing, a Latin phrase meaning “to the city and the world.” The Vatican bells rang out as the crowd applauded, and he offered Easter greetings in several languages, including Latin, Arabic, and Chinese. The pope also announced plans to return to the basilica on 11 April for a peace prayer vigil.
Earlier in the week, Leo made a rare direct appeal to Donald Trump, urging the US President to find an “off-ramp” to end the Iran conflict. His Easter vigil sermon emphasized the need for believers to remain engaged in reconciliation efforts, despite the scale of ongoing global strife.
