Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Easter Mass as pontiff on Sunday, greeting thousands of Catholics at St. Peter’s Basilica and the square in Rome.
In his remarks the US-born pope renewed an urgent plea for world leaders to abandon schemes of domination and power. “Let those who have weapons lay them down!” he said. “Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace!”
Without naming individuals, Leo urged, “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.”
A vocal critic of war—particularly the new US-Israeli military actions in Iran—he warned the faithful against “growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent.”
Thousands attended the Easter Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Square, the high point of the liturgical year for Catholics, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and his victory over death.
Delivering the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo offered messages of Easter peace in ten languages, including Arabic, Chinese and Latin. He told those gathered he would return to St. Peter’s to pray for peace at an upcoming vigil on Saturday.
Edited by: Sean Sinico