Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Easter Mass as pontiff on Sunday, greeting thousands of faithful Catholics in Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica and Square.
In his remarks, Pope Leo extended his urgent appeal to world leaders to abandon plans for domination and power.
“Those with weapons should drop them!” The head of the Catholic Church said, “Let those who have the power to wage war choose peace!”
Without naming individual leaders, the US-born Pope said, “On this day of celebration, let us renounce every desire for conflict, dominance and power, and pray to the Lord to grant peace to a world ravaged by war.”
A fearless critic of war, particularly the new US-Israeli war in Iran, Leo cautioned loyalists against “getting addicted to violence, resigning themselves to it, and becoming apathetic.”
Easter Sunday Mass at the Vatican marks the high point of the religious year for Catholics around the world, celebrating their faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and his victory over death.
In his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing, given from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo delivered messages of Easter peace in 10 languages, including Arabic, Chinese and Latin.
Leo told attendees he would return to St. Peter’s to pray for peace at an upcoming mass on Saturday.
Edited by: Shawn Sinico