In his inaugural Easter Mass, Pope Leo urges world leaders to opt for peace. 21 hours prior. Jessica Rawnsley. Reuters/Vatican Media. On Sunday, thousands of worshippers gathered in St. Peter’s Square to hear Pope Leo XIV give his inaugural Easter Mass address as pontiff. Standing on the Vatican’s basilica balcony amid white roses, the pope urged “those who have the power to unleash wars” to pursue peace instead. “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,” he declared. The first U.S.-born pope has emerged as a outspoken critic of the Iran war, using recent speeches to condemn global conflicts and call for de-escalation. Getty Images. Pope Leo greeted the crowd in the square below with a wave prior to giving his “Urbi et Orbi” blessing, which means “to the city and the world” in Latin. St. Peter’s Square was adorned with vibrant spring flowers, including rows of daffodils and thousands of purple, red, and white blooms set up for the Easter Mass. Getty Images. Reuters. “We are growing used to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent—indifferent to the deaths of thousands,” the pope said in his address. “Let those who have weapons lay them down.” May those with the authority to ignite wars opt for peace instead.
