Pope Leo Delivers Easter Message Urging End to Violence and Wars from St. Peter's Basilica

Pope Leo delivered his first Urbi et Orbi message on Easter Sunday from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Authorities estimated that 50,000 people attended the celebration in St. Peter's Square, with another 10,000 watching from outside. The American-born pope, who succeeded Pope Francis in May 2025, spoke to a crowd waving flags from various countries as conflicts continued in the Middle East.

In the message, Pope Leo stated that the world was becoming accustomed to violence and risked growing indifferent to the deaths of thousands and the hatred sown by conflicts. He called on humanity to abandon desires for conflict, domination, and power.

"Let those who have weapons lay them down," he said. "Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace!

Pope Leo emphasized that people cannot continue to be indifferent or resign themselves to evil. ” Earlier in March, he said Christian political leaders who start wars should go to confession and assess whether they follow Jesus's teachings, without naming specific individuals.

The pope addressed U.S. President Donald Trump directly for the first time last week, urging restraint and de-escalation in the war in Iran. “Hopefully he’s looking for an off-ramp,” Pope Leo told journalists on Tuesday outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo, near Rome.

” These comments contrasted with statements from U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who during a prayer service at the Pentagon on Wednesday asked God to guide U.S. forces.

Since becoming pope, Leo—born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago—has focused on messages of peace and inequality, drawing from his predecessor's teachings. In February, the Vatican declined an invitation to join Trump's "Board of Peace" initiative. Vatican officials stated there are no plans for the pope to visit the U.S. this year, as he prioritizes outreach in Africa and Europe.