US EditionAt Easter vigil, Pope Leo urges world not to grow numb to war
The pope urged leaders to choose dialogue over force and announced a prayer vigil for peace as he warned that war breeds indifference.
- On Saturday, April 4, 2026, Pope Leo XIV presided over his first Easter Vigil at St. Peter's Basilica, baptizing 10 adult converts and delivering a homily urging global harmony amid widespread conflicts.
- The vigil followed a demanding Holy Week where Leo restored traditional rites, washing the feet of 12 priests on Holy Thursday and carrying the cross through all 14 Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.
- During his homily, Leo called sin "a heavy barrier that closes us off and separates us from God," urging the faithful to work so that "the Easter gifts of harmony and peace may grow and flourish everywhere and always throughout the world."
- White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended President Donald Trump's administration's use of prayer in wartime Monday, countering the Pope's prior condemnation of leaders with "hands full of blood."
- Sunday morning, Leo will celebrate an open-air Mass in St. Peter's Square before delivering the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" message "to the city and the world," which acts as a summary of the world's woes.
512 Articles
512 Articles
On Easter Monday, Pope Leo XIV prayed with thousands of people on St. Peter's Square in Rome. In bright spring weather, he ended the Easter celebrations. The Pontiff denounced bloodshed in areas of war and conflict and remembered his late predecessor Francis. The Pope called for prayers for the peoples tormented by war, for the Christians persecuted for their faith, and "for the children who are denied the right to education." "May Easter give h…
Pope Leo calls on those who 'unleash wars' to 'choose peace' in first Easter Mass
Pope Leo XIV continued his quest for peace on Easter Sunday, urging for an end to the multiple military conflicts throughout the world. In his first Easter as pope, Leo delivered the traditional Easter “Urbi et Orbi” blessing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica before 50,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square. Leo called for “those who have weapons lay them down!” He began by speaking about the spirituality of Easter, mentioning the cruc…
Pope Leo XIV used his Easter prayers to call on world leaders to choose peace, while warning humanity not to become complacent about loss amidst ongoing conflicts around the world.
Pope Leo XIV Urges Peace in First Easter Mass as Christians Celebrate in Jerusalem, Gaza and Tehran | 🌎 LatestLY
'Let us allow our hearts to be transformed by his immense love for us! Let those who have weapons lay them down! Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace! Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue! Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them!' the Pope Leo XIV implored. 🌎 Pope Leo XIV Urges Peace in First Easter Mass as Christians Celebrate in Jerusalem, Gaza and Tehran.
The new head of 1.4 billion Catholics gives the blessing Urbi et Orbi for the first time at Easter. He also addresses the many current conflicts – without becoming too clear.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 53% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
