Vatican City, April 5: Pope Leo XIV on Sunday delivered a powerful call for global peace, urging nations and leaders to renounce violence and choose dialogue over domination amidst the ongoing conflict in West Asia. In his poignant Urbi et Orbi Easter message from Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Pontiff appealed for an end to the indifference that has allowed suffering and bloodshed to continue unabated.
“Let those who have weapons lay them down! Let those who have the power to wage war choose peace!" the Pope declared. “Not a peace enforced by force, but a peace achieved through dialogue! Not one based on domination, but on mutual encounter and understanding.”
Reflecting on the significance of Christ’s resurrection, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the triumph of life over death, light over darkness, and love over hatred. He spoke of the resurrection of Jesus Christ as a beacon of Christian hope and an embodiment of non-violent strength, rooted in God's boundless love. “The resurrection of Christ marks the beginning of a new humanity; it opens the path to the true promised land, where justice, freedom, and peace reign. It is a place where all recognize one another as brothers and sisters, children of the same Father—who is Love, Life, and Light,” the Pope said.
As the Christian community celebrates the resurrection, the Pope urged believers to reflect on the profound impact of this divine event, which challenges humanity's freedom to choose between hope and despair. "Before the empty tomb, we stand in awe and wonder, just as the disciples did, or we may be filled with fear, like the guards and the Pharisees, who chose deceit rather than acknowledging the truth that the condemned One has risen,” he remarked.
The Pope also expressed deep sorrow over the growing "globalization of indifference," a moral numbness to the suffering caused by war and violence. He lamented how the world seems to be becoming desensitized to the death, destruction, and social upheaval inflicted by conflicts, emphasizing that true peace is more than the absence of war—it is the transformation of the human heart, imbued with compassion, respect, and solidarity.
“We are becoming increasingly indifferent to the loss of thousands of lives, to the hatred and division wars breed, and to the economic and social consequences that affect us all,” Pope Leo XIV noted. He quoted Pope Francis, who had warned against a growing thirst for death, highlighting the pervasive nature of conflict and its toll on humanity.
In invoking the example of Christ’s self-sacrificial love, the Pope stressed that evil is defeated not through force, but through trust in God’s will and reconciliation. “The cross of Christ calls us to confront the suffering and pain surrounding death,” the Pope said. “We are all afraid of death, but we cannot turn away. We must not resign ourselves to evil. As Saint Augustine taught, ‘If you fear death, love the resurrection!’ Let us love the resurrection, for it reminds us that evil does not have the final word. The Risen One has conquered it.”
To further emphasize his plea for peace, Pope Leo XIV announced a prayer vigil for peace to take place at Saint Peter's Basilica on Saturday, April 11. He invited people from around the world to join in this collective intercession for an end to war, hatred, and suffering.
In closing, the Pope urged Christians and people of goodwill to place their hearts in the hands of the Risen Christ, who, he affirmed, is the only true and lasting source of peace. He concluded with heartfelt Easter wishes to the global community, invoking blessings of hope and renewal. ( With Agency Input)
