Pope Leo XIV Calls for Global Peace in First Easter Mass

Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Easter Mass as pontiff on April 5, 2026, at St. Peter's Basilica, emphasizing the need for global peace through dialogue. Addressing the faithful, he urged those with weapons to lay them down and called on leaders to choose peace not imposed by force, but through dialogue.

Departing from tradition, Pope Leo did not list specific global conflicts in his Urbi et Orbi blessing. Instead, he acknowledged a growing indifference to the deaths of thousands and the repercussions of hatred and division that conflicts sow.

The pontiff announced a prayer vigil for peace to be held on April 11 in St. Peter's Basilica, inviting everyone to join in making the cry for peace heard.

During the Easter Vigil on April 4, Pope Leo carried a lit candle through a darkened St. Peter's Basilica, symbolizing Christ's resurrection. In his homily, he spoke against sin and urged believers to overcome spiritual burdens like fear, mistrust, and resentment.

Pope Leo also revived certain traditions during Holy Week, including washing the feet of 12 priests on Holy Thursday, returning to a clergy-only custom.

In Jerusalem, Easter celebrations were scaled back under an agreement with Israeli police due to ongoing missile attacks. In Gaza, the small Christian community celebrated its first Easter Mass since a ceasefire, expressing hope and relief. In Tehran, Armenian Christians gathered at St. Sarkis Cathedral to celebrate Easter, striving to maintain normalcy despite ongoing airstrikes.