Pope Leo
Leo gave the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to a crowd in St. Peter’s Square that numbered more than 50,000 people, according to Vatican media.
Leo said that in a world affected by wars and abuses, people need hope and peace, and urged not to become accustomed to violence and remain indifferent to the deaths of tens of thousands.
“On this feast day, let us give up any desire for conflict domination and power and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars and marked by hatred and indifference that makes us feel powerless in the face of evil,” the pope said.
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Pope Leo (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Leo reminded the faithful that “the power by which Christ rose is completely nonviolent.”
“In light of Easter, let us be amazed by Christ,” he said. “Let us allow our hearts to be transformed by His immense love for us. Let those with weapons put them down. Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace. Not a peace imposed through violence, but through dialogue. Not through a desire to dominate others, but to encounter them.”
Faithfully waiting for Pope Leo (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Leo also invoked what he said were the last words Pope Francis spoke to the world from the same balcony a year ago, in which the late pontiff warned of a “globalization of indifference.”
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“What a great thirst for death, for murder we witness every day in the many conflicts raging in different parts of the world,” Leo said, quoting Francis.
Pope Leo (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Leo concluded the blessing by wishing everyone a Happy Easter in 10 different languages and by singing the Regina Ceoli.
Leo previously held his first Easter Mass as pope, calling on the faithful to practice hope against “the violence of war that kills and destroys,” adding that in light of the conflicts spreading around the world, “we need this song of hope today.”
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Leo has repeatedly called for a cessation of hostilities as the US-Israeli war against Iran enters its second month and Russia continues its violent campaign in Ukraine.
