Pope Leo calls for an all-around laying down of weapons

During his first Easter Mass as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV urged those who have the power to unleash wars to choose peace and lay down their weapons. The Chicago native, elected Pope by fellow Roman Catholic Cardinals in May 2025, said that peace should be found through dialogue and not imposed by force. He prayed that God would grant peace to a world ravaged by warfare and called for every desire for conflict, domination, and power to be abandoned. The pope refrained from calling out any specific wars during his remarks during his Urbi et Orbi blessing, Latin for “to the city and the world.”

Around 50,000 people gathered on Easter to hear Leo speak from an open-air altar in St. Peter’s Square outside of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City. On Good Friday, Leo became the first pope in decades to carry a wooden cross for the 14 stations during the Way of the Cross.

What else did Leo say in his message? While he did not mention any wars by name, he said that people have grown accustomed to the deaths of thousands of people. The American-born pope added that they have become resigned to the economic and social consequences produced by hatred and conflict. Leo quoted his predecessor, Pope Francis, who on last Easter spoke against the “great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day.″

He also announced that a prayer vigil for peace will be held April 11 in the basilica.

Dig deeper: Read Christina Grube’s report from last year about the background of Pope Leo.