Pope Leo calls on world leaders to end war at Easter Mass
In his Easter homily, Pope Leo called on world leaders to end conflicts around the world and renounce the desire for power, domination and conquest.
In his Easter speech in St. Peter’s Square on April 5, Pope Leo advised world leaders to end conflicts and move toward peace in his first address since becoming pope in May 2025.
The pope’s speech came as the Iran war, which began in late February, continues to escalate in the Middle East. Mr. Leo has become an outspoken critic of the conflict, quoting a Bible verse in a speech on Palm Sunday: “[Jesus]does not listen to the prayers of those who make war, he rejects them and says, ‘No matter how many times you pray, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood.'”
The Pope echoed similar sentiments in his Easter address, saying people have become “accustomed to violence, resigned and indifferent.”
“Those who have weapons, please lay them down,” Leo added. “Those who have the power to start war should choose peace!”
The pope’s message, known as the “Urbi e Orbi” (Blessing to the City and the World), did not mention any specific conflict, but focused on the idea that Jesus Christ was “nonviolent” in the Easter story.
“On this day of celebration, let us abandon all desires for strife, domination and power, and ask the Lord to grant peace to our war-torn world,” Leo urged.
The speech was the latest in the pope’s outspoken criticisms of global conflicts in recent weeks, including condemning “atrocious violence” in the Middle East. Late last month, he made a more direct appeal, saying he hoped President Donald Trump was “looking for an exit” to the Iran war.
“I will continue to call on all world leaders to come back to the dialogue table. Let’s look for solutions. Let’s look for ways to reduce the amount of violence,” Leo said on March 31.
Contributed by: Reuters, USA TODAY’s Kathryn Palmer
Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kperez@usatodayco.com or X @katecperez_.
