Arabic version: البابا ليو الرابع عشر يدعو القادة العالميين لتبني السلام

Pope Leo XIV delivered his first Easter Mass address at St. Peter’s Square, calling on global leaders to prioritize peace over conflict. According to BBC News, he urged those who have the power to unleash wars to abandon desires for conflict and seek peace in a world ravaged by wars.

During his address, framed by spring flowers, Pope Leo emphasized the growing indifference to the suffering caused by wars. He stated, “Let those who have weapons lay them down. Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace.”

In a departure from recent tradition, the pope did not specify any particular conflicts or nations in his message. He paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, who gave his final address on Easter Sunday last year hours before his death. Leo highlighted the nonviolent example set by Jesus during his resurrection story.

As the bells rang across the Vatican, the pope concluded his blessing with Easter greetings in multiple languages, including Latin and Arabic. He announced plans to lead a prayer vigil for peace on April 11, emphasizing his commitment to addressing ongoing global conflicts and advocating for reconciliation.