Thousands of worshippers congregated in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, anticipating Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Easter Mass as pontiff. The setting, adorned with white roses on the basilica’s central balcony, provided a solemn backdrop for his address.
Addressing the gathered faithful, Pope Leo XIV implored “those who have the power to unleash wars” to instead embrace peace. He articulated this plea by stating, “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.”
The pontiff, who is the first U.S.-born pope, has been an outspoken critic of the Iran war. He has increasingly used public addresses to condemn international conflicts and advocate for de-escalation.
Prior to delivering his “Urbi et Orbi” blessing, a Latin phrase translating to “to the city and the world,” Pope Leo XIV briefly acknowledged the crowd assembled below with a wave.
Easter Mass Decorations and Themes
St. Peter’s Square was transformed for the occasion with abundant spring blooms. Rows of daffodils and thousands of flowers in shades of purple, red, and white were meticulously arranged for the Easter Mass.
In his address, the Pope observed a concerning trend, noting, “We are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent, indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people.” He reiterated his call for disarmament and the pursuit of peace, stating directly, “Let those who have weapons lay them down. Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace.”
Notably, in a departure from recent tradition, Pope Leo maintained a more general tone, refraining from explicitly naming specific countries or ongoing conflicts in his Easter message.
Reflections on Predecessors and Christian Significance
He took a moment to honor his predecessor, Pope Francis, whose final Easter Sunday address was delivered just hours before his passing the previous year.
Drawing a parallel to the Easter narrative of Christ’s resurrection, which occurred three days after his crucifixion, the Pope highlighted Jesus’s “entirely nonviolent” stance in the face of suffering. For Christians, Easter holds paramount importance as it commemorates Christ’s resurrection, a foundational tenet of their faith.
As bells resonated throughout the Vatican and the congregation applauded, Pope Leo concluded his blessing with Easter greetings extended in multiple languages, including Latin, Arabic, and Chinese.
Upcoming Peace Vigil
The Pope also announced plans to return to the basilica on April 11th to lead a prayer vigil dedicated to peace. This initiative underscores his ongoing commitment to fostering a peaceful global environment.
Pope Leo has consistently condemned ongoing international disputes in recent weeks. His addresses during Holy Week have cautioned against what he has characterized as a growing societal disconnect from the realities of war and suffering.
During his sermon at the Easter vigil service on Saturday night, the pontiff encouraged believers to resist becoming desensitized by the vast scope of global conflicts. Instead, he urged them to actively engage in efforts toward reconciliation.
In a recent and notable instance, he directly appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, urging him to identify an “off-ramp” to effectively conclude the conflict with Iran.