Pope Leo XIV Appeals For Peace On First Easter
First U.S.-born Pope Leo XIV urged leaders to lay down weapons, warned of growing indifference to violence, and announced an April 11 prayer vigil for peace.
CBS NewsPope Leo XIV calls for hope amid global conflicts on his first Easter as pontiff
SemaforPope Leo XIV calls for peace in first Easter address
Chicago Sun-TimesParishioners at an overflowing Holy Name Cathedral, Pope Leo both reflect on peace for Easter
Straight Arrow NewsPope Leo XIV calls for peace, urges world leaders to end wars in Easter message
Overview
Pope Leo XIV used his first Easter message to urge leaders to lay down weapons and choose dialogue, speaking from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica to some 50,000 faithful.
He warned the world is becoming increasingly indifferent to violence amid the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran in its second month and Russia's ongoing campaign in Ukraine.
Leo announced he will lead a prayer vigil for peace on April 11 in St. Peter's Basilica.
Authorities scaled back ceremonies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and limited the Jewish priestly blessing at the Western Wall to 50 people under security restrictions.
He became only the second pope to carry the cross for the entire Way of the Cross, a role previously done only by Pope John Paul II.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a moral rebuke of hawkish rhetoric, using editorial choices—loaded phrases like "rallying cry" and selective juxtaposition of the pope's calls for nonviolence with Hegseth's combative quote—to emphasize peace. Editorial framing highlights expert voices supportive of nonviolence, while direct papal quotes remain source content.