Pope Leo XIV delivers first Easter address as pontiff

Pope Leo XIV delivered his first Easter address as pontiff during the traditional Easter Mass on Sunday. In his message, he emphasized the need for world leaders to choose peace over war, urging them to end conflicts and renounce conquest. This call for peace was particularly poignant amid ongoing global tensions, including the US-Israeli conflict involving Iran and Russia's military actions in Ukraine. The Pope condemned the "violence of war that kills and destroys," highlighting the suffering inflicted on vulnerable populations by those who wage war and prioritize profits over human life (NBC News, Deutsche Welle, France24). During the Easter Mass, Pope Leo XIV also delivered the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing, which is a traditional papal message to the city of Rome and the world. In this address, he reiterated his plea for peace and called on leaders to take responsibility for their actions, emphasizing the moral imperative to protect the weak and promote harmony (AP News, Reuters). Prior to Easter, in his Palm Sunday Mass message, Pope Leo XIV rejected claims that God justifies war, reinforcing his stance on the sanctity of life and the importance of peace (The Boston Globe). His messages during this significant religious period reflect a consistent theme of advocating for peace and condemning violence, aligning with the broader Christian values celebrated during Easter (NBC News, France24).