Vatican: During the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo led Catholics worldwide in celebrating the holiest night of the Christian calendar, urging people not to feel numbed by the scale of global conflicts but to work toward peace actively.
The first US pope, who has emerged as an outspoken critic of the Iran war, highlighted that mistrust and fear have been allowed to “sever the bonds between us through war, injustice and the isolation of peoples and nations.”
The Pope encouraged the faithful not to allow themselves to be paralyzed by fear, urging them to follow the example of saints who struggled for justice so that “Easter gifts of harmony and peace may grow and flourish everywhere.”
Pope Leo celebrates the Easter Vigil Mass in St Peter's Basilica.
In his homily, the Pope said that Easter “drives out hatred, fosters concord and brings down the mighty”.
"The power of God’s love," Pope Leo said, is "stronger than any force of evil … Humanity can kill the… pic.twitter.com/bfnrJNU5AI
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 4, 2026
At the service, Pope Leo also baptized 10 adult converts to Catholicism, though the Pontiff did not specifically mention any ongoing conflicts during his homily.
In recent weeks, the pope has been increasingly vocal in his criticism of the Iran war. Last March 29, Pope stated that God rejects the prayers of leaders who start wars and have “hands full of blood.” On March 31, he made a direct appeal to US President Donald Trump, urging the president to find an ‘off-ramp’ to end the conflict.
Pope Leo will conclude his Easter celebrations on April 5 morning with a Mass in St. Peter’s Square, where he will deliver a special blessing and message, a moment traditionally used to make major international appeals for peace.
Pope Leo’s Easter message serves as a reminder of the Church’s call for justice, compassion, and global harmony, urging believers and leaders alike to seek peace and unity in a world increasingly divided by conflict.
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