Pope Leo XIV Calls for Global Peace in First Easter Urbi et Orbi Blessing

Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Easter Mass as head of the Catholic Church on April 5, 2026, delivering a forceful call for peace before an estimated and imparting the Urbi et Orbi blessing for the first time at Easter. The American-born pontiff, speaking from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, directed his message at combatants and leaders in conflicts across the Middle East, Ukraine, and other regions. The celebration took place under clear skies and was broadcast live to many countries. Robert Francis Prevost, who took the name Leo XIV after his election on May 8, 2025, leads more than 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide and is the first pope born in the United States.

Pope warns world against growing indifference to war deaths In his Easter sermon, Leo XIV condemned what he described as a "globalization of indifference" toward the suffering caused by armed conflict. He warned that humanity risks becoming numb to mass death and its consequences.

„Indifferent to the death of thousands of people. Indifferent to the consequences of hatred and division that conflicts entail. Indifferent to the economic and social consequences they cause and which we all feel after all.” — Pope Leo XIV via SRF News

The Pope called directly on those with power to act.

„Whoever holds weapons in their hands, lay them down! Whoever has the power to start wars, choose peace! Not for a peace that is forced by violence, but through dialogue!” — Pope Leo XIV via Die Welt

Leo XIV also acknowledged the despair many feel in the face of ongoing violence, but urged the faithful not to lose hope. "It is true that it often seems as if there were no God: we see injustice, malice, indifference, and cruelty that do not decrease," he said, according to newsORF.at, adding that Easter nonetheless offers the promise of renewal. He invited the faithful to join a prayer vigil for peace to be held in St. Peter's Square.

Ten languages and a revived tradition mark a more traditional papacy Leo XIV revived a multilingual Easter greeting tradition that his predecessor Pope Francis had discontinued, addressing the faithful in ten languages including German, Polish, Arabic, and Chinese, as well as Latin. The practice had previously been observed by popes including John Paul II. In German, Leo said: "Happy Easter! Bring to everyone the joy of the risen Jesus, who is present among us," according to multiple German-language outlets. The multilingual greeting was one of several gestures that observers noted as marking a more traditional liturgical approach compared to his immediate predecessor. Earlier in Holy Week, on Maundy Thursday, Leo washed the feet of twelve priests — whereas Francis had performed the ritual with prisoners. On Good Friday, Leo carried the cross himself during the traditional procession, a departure from the practice of his predecessor.

First Easter since Francis died on the same day a year ago The occasion carried particular resonance because Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, just one day after imparting the Urbi et Orbi blessing for the last time. Leo XIV was elected on May 8, 2025, and has been in office for nearly one year. He is 70 years old and was born in the United States, making him the first American to lead the Catholic Church. Before his election, he served as a Curial Cardinal, as a bishop in Peru, and as head of the Augustinian Order, according to Bayerischer Rundfunk. The Easter Mass marked the first time Leo XIV delivered the Urbi et Orbi blessing in the context of the Church's highest feast — having previously imparted it at Christmas and immediately after his election.

The Urbi et Orbi blessing is granted only three times in a pontificate's calendar: at Easter, at Christmas, and immediately following a pope's election. Pope Francis, who died on April 21, 2025, had led the Catholic Church since March 2013 and was the first Jesuit pope and the first from Latin America. The tradition of delivering Easter greetings in multiple languages was associated with earlier popes, including John Paul II, before Francis discontinued it. Robert Francis Prevost was elected on May 8, 2025, taking the name Leo XIV.