Pope Calls on World Leaders to Lay Down Arms, Choose Peace

VATICAN – Pope Leo XIV issued a call for peace in his Easter Sunday address on Sunday (5/4/2026). As reported by Reuters, he urged world leaders to end conflicts and abandon ambitions of conquest. Speaking before thousands of people in St Peter’s Square, the Pope regretted that humanity is now becoming accustomed to violence and indifferent. “Let those who have weapons lay them down!” he exclaimed. “Let those who have the power to ignite war choose peace!” The brief and direct Urbi et Orbi blessing (to the City of Rome and to the world) that he delivered did not mention any specific conflicts. He stated that the Easter story shows that Christ is entirely without violence. “On this day of celebration, let us abandon every desire for conflict, domination, and power, and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world afflicted by war,” said Pope Leo.