Pope Leo XIV delivered his first Easter message as pontiff on Sunday, calling on world leaders to abandon weapons and choose peace through dialogue rather than force. Speaking from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica to approximately 50,000 gathered faithful, the Chicago-born pope warned against growing global indifference to violence and war.
The pontiff broke with decades of papal tradition by avoiding specific mentions of conflict zones in his Urbi et Orbi blessing, despite ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. His predecessors typically enumerated global crises during the Easter address, making the omission particularly notable given the current geopolitical tensions.
Laat hen die wapens hebben, deze neerleggen. Mogen zij die de macht hebben om oorlogen te ontketenen, voor vrede kiezen. Geen vrede die met geweld wordt opgelegd, maar vrede door dialoog. Niet vanuit de wens om anderen te domineren, maar om hen tegemoet te treden.
Pope Leo XIV — NOS Nieuws
Leo XIV drew heavily on themes established by his predecessor Francis, invoking the concept of a "globalization of indifference" that Francis had coined during his papacy. The current pope warned that humanity was becoming desensitized to violence and the thousands of deaths resulting from conflicts worldwide.
Nos estamos acostumbrando a la violencia, nos resignamos a ella y nos volvemos indiferentes. Indiferentes ante la muerte de miles de personas. Indiferentes ante las secuelas de odio y división que siembran los conflictos
Pope Leo XIV — Infobae
The pope specifically referenced Francis's final public appearance from the same loggia on Easter Sunday 2025, when the late pontiff had spoken about witnessing "a great thirst for death, for killing" in daily conflicts. Francis died the following day, Easter Monday, after a prolonged illness.
In his homily, Leo XIV addressed what he termed the "idolatry of profit that plunders the earth's resources" alongside the violence of war. He celebrated the Easter message before an altar flanked by white roses and spring flowers, emphasizing hope as an "unstoppable force" capable of overcoming death and destruction.
To give concrete form to his peace appeal, the pope announced a prayer vigil for peace scheduled for April 11 at the Vatican. The announcement represents one of his first major initiatives since his election in May 2025 following a two-day conclave.
Recent days have seen Leo XIV intensify his diplomatic outreach, including direct appeals to political leaders. French media reported that the pope had specifically called on Donald Trump to "seek an exit door" from Middle East conflicts, demonstrating his willingness to engage directly with world leaders on matters of war and peace.
The Easter ceremony marked a significant moment for the American-born pontiff, who has maintained continuity with Francis's social justice themes while developing his own distinctive approach to global diplomacy. His decision to avoid naming specific conflict zones while maintaining strong anti-war rhetoric suggests a strategic shift in papal messaging on international affairs.