Pope Leo's First Easter Mass Calls for Global Peace Without Naming Conflicts

Pope Leo delivered his inaugural Easter Mass as pontiff on Sunday from St. Peter's Basilica, addressing approximately 50,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square. In his Urbi et Orbi blessing and homily, he urged global leaders to choose peace through dialogue rather than force, calling for weapons to be laid down. The first US-born pope emphasized Easter's message of hope tied to Jesus' resurrection. Notably, he departed from tradition by not listing specific world conflicts by name, though his message referenced ongoing wars in Ukraine and Iran. Leo quoted his predecessor Pope Francis, who during his final public appearance last Easter spoke of humanity's 'great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day.' Francis died the following day on Easter Monday after a prolonged illness. The pontiff's address focused on transformation through love and rejecting domination in favor of genuine encounter.