Pope Leo XIV’s Inaugural Easter Message
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV marked his first Easter Mass as pontiff with a plea for peace amid ongoing global conflicts. He urged the cessation of violence and the pursuit of dialogue instead of aggression. Departing from the customary tradition, he refrained from naming specific global crises during his Urbi et Orbi blessing from St. Peter’s Basilica.
Emphasis on Hope
The U.S.-born pope highlighted the Easter message of hope, celebrating Jesus’ resurrection. He passionately called for transformation through love, urging those with weapons to abandon them and others in power to choose peace; not through force, but through conversation and mutual understanding.
Addressing Global Apathy
In light of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli tensions over Iran and Russia’s campaign in Ukraine, Leo expressed concern about the widespread indifference towards the suffering caused by these conflicts, which he indicated were economic and socially devastating.
Inspirations from His Predecessor
Though he did not directly mention the wars, Leo quoted Pope Francis, who in his last public address also lamented the daily violence and loss of life. Leo aimed to connect with the collective consciousness about the harms of warfare without naming them explicitly.
Shifts in Tradition
Earlier, addressing a crowd of around 50,000 in St. Peter’s Square decorated with spring flowers, Leo emphasized the importance of hope in the face of brutality and greed. He announced a peace vigil set for April 11 in the basilica, adding spiritual significance to his call for peace.
Engaging with the Faithful
The pope communicated with global followers in ten languages, a practice that had fallen by the wayside under Pope Francis, and acknowledged the crowd enthusiastically from the popemobile. He revisited traditional practices, including personally washing priests’ feet on Holy Thursday, a departure from his predecessor’s inclusive approach.
Observing Easter Amidst Global Tensions
In Gaza, following a ceasefire, the tiny Christian community celebrated Easter at the Holy Family church with heartfelt joy, a stark contrast to the prior years of struggle. Similarly, Armenian Christians in Tehran celebrated while navigating the complexities introduced by ongoing conflict in the region, emphasizing the need for normalcy in these challenging times.
