Pope Leo urges world leaders to choose peace over war

Vatican (ANTARA) - Pope Leo XIV has urged world leaders to choose peace rather than using their power to launch wars.

“Let those who have weapons lay them down!” urged Pope Leo as he delivered the blessing to the City of Rome and the world (Urbi et Orbi) during Easter Sunday celebrations at St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican.

The peace he referred to is not that “imposed by violence”, but peace achieved through dialogue.

“Not with the desire to dominate others, but to embrace them,” he said.

The supreme leader of the Catholic Church warned that the world is “becoming increasingly accustomed to violence”.

“We are becoming indifferent not only to the deaths of thousands of people, but also to the hatred and divisions caused by war, as well as its economic and social consequences,” he stated.

Quoting the late Pope Francis, Pope Leo warned about the “growing globalisation of indifference”.

“We cannot continue to be indifferent! We cannot resign ourselves to evil!” he urged.

For this reason, he said, he will lead a joint prayer for peace on 11 April at St Peter’s Basilica.

As a closing to the Urbi et Orbi message, the Pope emphasised that Easter peace is not merely the silence of weapons but also an inner peace that “touches and transforms each of our hearts”.

Like Jesus who triumphed over death, the Pope invited the faithful to triumph “without violence”, based on love that creates, produces, forgives, and redeems sins.

“Let us allow ourselves to be transformed by Christ’s peace,” said Pope Leo, while praying for God’s true peace for those who suffer.

Previously, during Palm Sunday Mass (28/3) that opened Holy Week for Easter, Pope Leo made a strong statement that “Jesus does not hear the prayers of those who start wars”.

That statement was deemed highly relevant in responding to the latest escalation in the Middle East, triggered by combined US and Israel attacks on Iran.

Leo XIV, the first pope from the US in the history of the Catholic Church, has repeatedly condemned war and called for dialogue for peace.