In his first Easter message, Pope Leo XIV issued a profound challenge denouncing global indifference to the suffering of people, calling for an end to wars – “ let those who have weapons lay them down ” – and calling for a prayer vigil for peace in St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, April 11th.
Following the celebration of the Mass of the Resurrection in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, Pope Leo addressed his first Easter Message to the City of Rome and the world. This message was marked by a strong appeal for an end to the wars taking place in various parts of the world, a denunciation of global indifference to the suffering of people, and also by a strong sense of hope rooted in the resurrection of Christ.
“Easter is a victory: of life over death, of light over darkness, of love over hatred ,” the Holy Father stated. But the message was particularly marked by the appeal for peace in the face of the proliferation of armed conflicts and the suffering that this entails for people.
“We are becoming accustomed to violence , we are resigning ourselves to it and becoming indifferent. Indifferent to the death of thousands of people. Indifferent to the repercussions of hatred and division that conflicts sow. Indifferent to the economic and social consequences they produce and which we all feel ,” said the Holy Father before granting the ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing to the city of Rome and the world.
Echoing an expression very dear to Pope Francis, Pope Leo emphasised the ” globalization of indifference ,” which is becoming increasingly pronounced.
Without referring to any of the major conflicts currently taking place, the Pope made a strong appeal to national leaders to use the power they possess in favor of genuine and lasting peace.
“On this festive day, let us abandon all desire for strife, domination, and power, and implore the Lord to grant His peace to a world tormented by wars and marked by hatred and indifference, which make us feel powerless in the face of evil. To the Lord we entrust all suffering hearts that await the true peace that only He can give.”
“The peace that Jesus gives us is not one that merely silences weapons, but one that touches and transforms the heart of each one of us! Let us convert to the peace of Christ! Let us make heard the cry for peace that springs from the heart! Therefore, I invite everyone to join me in the prayer vigil for peace that we will celebrate here in St. Peter’s Basilica next Saturday, April 11, ” said the Holy Father.
Those who have weapons in their hands, lay them down! Those who have the power to unleash wars, choose peace! Not a peace achieved through force, but through dialogue! Not through the desire to dominate the other, but to find them!
