Pope Leo Offers Message of Peace in 1st Easter Mass Leading Vatican

‘Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace! Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue!’ the pope said.

Pope Leo XIV addresses the faithful after delivering a blessing from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica at the end of Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 5, 2026. Alessandra Tarantino/AP Photo

Pope Leo XIV shared a message of peace on April 5 while celebrating his first Easter Mass as pontiff, calling on nations in global wars to lay down their weapons and seek peace through dialogue.

Leo, the first U.S.-born pope, said while giving the Urbi et Orbi blessing from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City: “Let us allow our hearts to be transformed by [Jesus Christ’s] immense love for us. Let those who have weapons lay them down. Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace. Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue. Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them.”