Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Easter Mass as pontiff on Sunday at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, greeting thousands of faithful Catholics. This Mass marks the high point of the liturgical year for Catholics worldwide, commemorating their belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and his victory over death.

In the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” (To the City and the World) blessing, the pope called for world leaders to wage peace, not war. He stated, “Let those who have weapons lay them down! Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace!” without naming individual leaders, but amplifying a universal plea amid global tensions.

An unflinching critic of war, particularly the new US-Israeli war in Iran, Pope Leo cautioned the faithful against “growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent.” He urged on this Easter day to “abandon every desire for conflict, domination, and power, and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars,” highlighting the destructive impact of ongoing conflicts.

During the Mass, the pope delivered messages of Easter peace in 10 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, and Latin. He also announced plans to return to St. Peter’s for a prayer vigil for peace this Saturday, reinforcing his commitment to peace advocacy in a world increasingly marred by geopolitical strife and military actions.

Source: www.dw.com