Pope Leo XIV Calls for Peace in First Easter Address

Thousands of worshippers filled St Peter's Square on Sunday to witness Pope Leo XIV deliver his first Easter message as the leader of the Catholic Church.

Standing on the central balcony of the Vatican's basilica, surrounded by white roses and spring blooms, the first American pope made a direct appeal to world leaders. "Let those who have weapons lay them down," he said. "Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace."

The Easter celebration took on special meaning as Pope Leo paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, who gave his final address on Easter Sunday last year just hours before his death. The new pontiff has quickly become known for his outspoken stance against global conflicts, particularly the Iran war.

Pope Leo warned against a growing danger he sees spreading worldwide. "We are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people," he told the crowd gathered below.

In a break from recent tradition, the pope chose not to name specific countries or conflicts in his Easter address. Instead, he focused on the Easter story itself, noting that Jesus remained "entirely nonviolent" in the face of suffering.

The Ripple Effect

Pope Leo's message extends beyond a single day of celebration. He announced plans to return to the basilica on April 11 to lead a prayer vigil specifically focused on peace, giving worshippers worldwide a chance to join in his mission.

The pope has used Holy Week addresses throughout recent weeks to warn against what he calls a dangerous indifference to war and suffering. During Saturday night's Easter vigil, he urged believers not to feel numbed by the scale of global conflicts but to actively work for reconciliation.

His appeals have grown increasingly direct. On Tuesday, he made a rare personal plea to President Donald Trump, urging him to find an "off-ramp" to end the conflict with Iran.

As bells rang across the Vatican and the crowd applauded, Pope Leo concluded his "Urbi et Orbi" blessing (Latin for "to the city and the world") by offering Easter greetings in multiple languages, including Arabic and Chinese.

For the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, this Easter marked both a celebration of their faith's most important day and a renewed call to work for peace in troubled times.