In his first Easter Sunday address, Pope Leo delivered a powerful message centered on peace, urging world leaders to turn away from war and warning against what he described as growing indifference to human suffering.

Speaking before worshippers gathered at the Vatican, the pontiff reflected on the global toll of ongoing conflicts, lamenting the loss of life and the deep divisions war continues to create. Without naming specific leaders, his words came amid escalating tensions in multiple regions, including the Middle East and Ukraine.

“We see indifference to the deaths of thousands of people … to the repercussions of hatred and division that conflicts sow,” Pope Leo said, highlighting not only the human cost but also the broader economic and social consequences of war.

Echoing the heart of the Easter message, he pointed believers back to the hope found in Christ while calling for a radical shift toward peace.

“Those who have weapons lay them down!” he declared. “Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace — not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue.”

The pope’s remarks drew on the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, quoting his warning of a world increasingly marked by a “thirst for death” and violence. In doing so, Pope Leo framed his message not as political commentary, but as a moral and spiritual appeal rooted in the teachings of Christ.

His words stood in stark contrast to escalating rhetoric from political leaders as global conflicts intensify. In recent weeks, violence has surged across the Middle East, with thousands reported killed, including civilians and children, while the war in Ukraine continues to claim lives and displace millions.

At the heart of Pope Leo’s message was a call to reject domination and instead pursue reconciliation.

“Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them,” he said, urging leaders to choose dialogue over destruction.

For Christians around the world celebrating Easter — the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and His victory over sin and death — the pope’s address served as a sobering reminder that the Gospel’s message calls believers to be peacemakers in a broken world.

Even as political tensions rise, Pope Leo’s words pointed back to a timeless truth: that true peace cannot be achieved through power or force, but through humility, love, and a willingness to seek reconciliation.

As the world reflects on the hope of the Resurrection, his message challenges both leaders and individuals alike to consider what it means to pursue peace in a world still marked by conflict.