Pope Leo XIV used his Easter Sunday address to deliver an unusually direct appeal to world leaders, demanding they abandon warfare and renounce conquest. Speaking to thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square, the first American pontiff warned that humanity is becoming dangerously accustomed to violence.
The pope's message, known as the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing, was notably brief and forceful compared to previous years. Leo has emerged as an increasingly vocal critic of global conflicts, particularly the Iran war, which has drawn his sharpest condemnation in recent weeks.
Let those who have weapons lay them down! Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace!
Pope Leo XIV — Multiple outlets
The pontiff grounded his peace appeal in Christian theology, arguing that Easter's central narrative demonstrates Christ's commitment to nonviolence. He pointed to Jesus's refusal to resist crucifixion as evidence that Christianity fundamentally rejects violent solutions to conflict.
Leo's Easter message follows a pattern of escalating criticism toward military conflicts. On Tuesday, he made a rare direct appeal to President Donald Trump, urging him to find an "off-ramp" to end the Iran war. The pope has also used recent sermons to warn against becoming numb to global violence.
France 24 presents the story with standard diplomatic framing, emphasizing the pope's role as a global moral authority without editorial commentary. The French perspective reflects Europe's general support for papal peace initiatives while maintaining journalistic neutrality on specific conflicts.