In his first Easter celebration since assuming the papacy, Pope Leo XIV appealed to world leaders to focus on peace and stop all wars.
During his traditional blessing of the city of Rome and the world, quoted by Agence France-Presse, he declared: “Whoever carries a weapon, let him lay it down! And whoever has the authority to start wars, let him choose peace! Peace is not imposed by force, but by dialogue, nor by the will to control the other, but by meeting with him.”
He also added, “We began to get used to violence and surrender to it, and we no longer care. We do not care about the death of thousands of people, and we do not care about the results of the hatred and divisions that conflicts raise.”
He warned of the dire consequences of wars, saying: “We do not care about the economic and social consequences that result from them, which we all see.”
This call comes at a time when conflicts are escalating in multiple regions around the world, leading to a high number of victims and exacerbating political and humanitarian disputes.
The Pope’s Easter speech carries a special symbolism, as the holiday represents an opportunity for renewal and rebirth, giving the call for peace a moral and spiritual dimension in the face of increasing violence.
This appeal also embodies the continued historical role of the Vatican in encouraging dialogue and finding peaceful solutions, especially in complex international crises.
