The Independent

Pope Leo uses Easter Sunday message to urge world leaders to end wars

Pope Leo used his Easter Sunday message to implore global leaders to cease ongoing conflicts and abandon any pursuit of power, conquest, or domination. Addressing thousands gathered in St Peter's Square, the pontiff, a vocal critic of the Iran war, lamented that people “are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent”. “Let those who have weapons lay them down!” the first US pope exhorted. “Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace!” Leo did not mention any specific conflicts in the message, known as the “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) blessing. It was unusually brief and direct. Watch more on Independent TV: https://tinyurl.com/yc7ukx9n The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-Independent Find us on social: TikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@independent Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/the.independent/ X (Twitter) / https://twitter.com/Independent Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/TheIndependentOnline Download the iOS & Android app: https://tinyurl.com/2s3ts5dh Sign up to our newsletters: https://tinyurl.com/2bmw565x Help to support truly independent journalism. Every dollar you contribute will directly fund additional special reports and investigations from a free-thinking, award-winning newsroom you can trust: https://www.independent.co.uk/donations