Tens of thousands of Christians poured into St. Peter's Square to hear Pope Leo XIV's first Easter address, in which he urged those in power to choose the path of peace instead of war that is consuming the world.
Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Easter Mass as the head of the Roman Catholic Church amid an atmosphere decorated with blooming spring flowers and over 50,000 Christians gathered at St. Peter's Square.
During the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing, given from the basilica balcony to Rome and the world, he emphasized a message of hope and the resurrection of Jesus, pleading earnestly with those in power: "On this day of celebration, let us abandon desires for conflict, domination, and power. May those who hold weapons lay them down, and may those who have the authority to ignite war choose the path of peace."
Amid global tensions—including the prolonged conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran entering its second month, and the crisis in Ukraine—Pope Leo XIV expressed concern that humanity is becoming "indifferent" to loss.
"We are becoming accustomed to violence, surrendering to it, and becoming indifferent to the deaths of thousands," he said, noting that death lurks in the oppression of the most vulnerable, the worship of profit that depletes the world's resources, and the violence of war.
The pope also impressed by reviving the tradition of greeting Christians in 10 languages, including Arabic and Chinese—a practice that the late Pope Francis had discontinued. Additionally, he remembered Pope Francis, who passed away last Easter, recalling his teachings on the "thirst for killing" to remind the faithful.
During Holy Week, Pope Leo XIV carried out several duties, including reinstating the custom of washing priests' feet on Holy Thursday to encourage the clergy, and becoming the first pope in over 60 years to carry the cross himself through all 14 Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, he rode the "Popemobile" through cheering crowds along the road leading to the Tiber River, announcing a gathering of Christians on 11 April to join in a prayer service for world peace at St. Peter's Basilica.
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