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, thousands of attendees gathered in St. Peter’s Square to witness Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Easter Mass speech as the pontiff. Framed by white roses on the central balcony of the Vatican’s basilica, the pope directed his message to “those in power capable of igniting conflict,” urging them to prioritize peace.
A Call for Peace and Reconciliation
He emphasized, “On this joyous occasion, we must relinquish our yearning for strife, control, and influence, and earnestly seek the Lord’s peace for a world wounded by warfare.” The first US-native pope has emerged as a prominent voice against the Iran conflict, advocating for global peace and urging reduced tensions in recent public addresses.
“Let those who have weapons lay them down. Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace.”
Global Conflicts and Indifference
In a departure from recent traditions, Leo omitted specific nations or conflicts in his message. During the Holy Week, he has consistently condemned global conflicts, highlighting an increasing detachment from war and its toll on humanity. At Saturday night’s Easter vigil, he encouraged followers to resist emotional desensitization toward global strife and strive for reconciliation.
Easter’s Significance and Traditions
St. Peter’s Square was adorned with spring flowers, featuring daffodils and a vibrant array of purple, red, and white blossoms for the Easter Mass. As bells echoed through the Vatican and the crowd’s applause, Leo extended Easter greetings in multiple languages such as Latin, Arabic, and Chinese. Additionally, he revealed plans to return to the basilica on April 11 for a peace prayer vigil.
Tribute to the Late Pope Francis
The pope honored his predecessor, Pope Francis, who concluded his last Easter Sunday address hours before his passing last year. Drawing from the Easter narrative of Christ’s resurrection, which occurred three days after his crucifixion, he highlighted that Jesus remained “completely nonviolent” despite enduring suffering.
Leo has repeatedly denounced ongoing global conflicts in recent weeks, using a series of Holy Week addresses to warn against what he has described as a growing indifference to war and suffering. On Tuesday, he made a rare appeal to Donald Trump, advocating for a resolution to the Iran conflict.
Peace as a Shared Goal
He lamented, “We have grown complacent with violence, accepting it as routine, and have become detached from the toll of thousands of lives lost in conflict.” The message underscored the importance of unity, urging leaders to act decisively in favor of harmony over division.
