In his first Easter address as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful message from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, urging the world to reject war and rediscover a commitment to peace. Speaking before tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, he cautioned that humanity risks becoming desensitized to suffering as global conflicts continue.
The celebration drew an estimated 50,000 people into St. Peter’s Square, with thousands more watching from nearby areas. After delivering his message, the pope greeted the crowd in multiple languages and later rode through the square in the popemobile, blessing children and acknowledging pilgrims who had traveled from around the world.
The American-born pope’s Urbi et Orbi (“to the city and the world”) blessing emphasized the moral urgency of ending violence. He warned that people are increasingly “accustomed to violence,” growing indifferent to widespread death and the deep divisions caused by war. Calling for a shift in mindset, he urged leaders and individuals alike to move away from aggression and toward reconciliation. “Let those who have weapons lay them down,” he said. “Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace! Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue! We cannot continue to be indifferent, and we cannot resign ourselves to evil.”
Throughout his message, Leo stressed that peace must come through understanding rather than domination. He appealed for the abandonment of ambitions rooted in power and control, asking humanity to seek solutions grounded in dialogue and mutual respect. His remarks come amid ongoing global tensions, including the war in the Middle East. In recent days, Leo has directly addressed Donald Trump, encouraging efforts to de-escalate conflict. “Hopefully he’s looking for an off-ramp,” the pope said earlier in the week, expressing hope for reduced violence.
Drawing inspiration from his predecessor, Pope Francis, Leo echoed concerns about what Francis once described as a growing “thirst for death.” He reinforced the idea that faith should never be used to justify war, instead presenting Christianity as fundamentally rooted in nonviolence.
The pope also contrasted his stance with rhetoric that frames conflict in religious terms. Observers note that Leo is actively pushing back against attempts to give warfare moral or divine endorsement, emphasizing instead the ethical responsibility of leaders—especially those who identify as Christian—to reflect on their actions.
Beyond his speech, Leo’s Easter celebrations underscored themes of hope and renewal. Earlier in the day, he spoke of enduring faith in the face of suffering caused by war, inequality, and environmental damage. He acknowledged the widespread sense of despair but reminded the faithful that renewal remains possible even in dark times “Easter gives us this hope, as we remember that in the risen Christ a new creation is possible every day,” he said.
Leo also announced a special prayer vigil for peace to be held on April 11 at St. Peter’s Basilica, continuing his effort to unite people in nonviolent action and reflection.
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