On Easter, Pope Leo urges world leaders to end wars, renounce conquest
By Joshua McElwee
VATICAN CITY, April 5 (Reuters) – Pope Leo called on global leaders to end conflicts around the world and abandon any plans for power, conquest or domination in his Easter message on Sunday.
The Pope, who has been an outspoken critic of the Iran war, complained in a special message to thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square that people were “beginning to get used to violence, to surrender and to become indifferent.”
“Those with guns, let them go!” the first US pope encouraged. “Those who have the power to start wars should choose peace!”
Leo did not mention any specific conflict in the message, known as the blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world). It was unusually short and direct.
The Pope said the Easter story in the Bible, in which Jesus rose from the dead three days after not resisting his execution by crucifixion, showed that Christ was “completely non-violent.”
“On this day of celebration, let us put aside all conflict, all desire for domination and power, and pray to God to grant peace to a world devastated by wars,” Leo urged.
Known for choosing his words carefully, Leo strongly condemned the violent conflicts taking place around the world in recent weeks and increased his criticism of the Iran war.
In his sermon for the Easter vigil on Saturday night, he urged people not to feel numb to the scope of conflict around the world but to work for peace.
The pope made a rare direct appeal to US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, urging him to find a “point of departure” to end the Iran war.
In his speech Sunday from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to the Square below, decorated with thousands of brightly colored flowers for the holiday, Leo offered short Easter greetings in ten languages, including Latin, Arabic and Chinese.
The Pope also announced that he will return to the Basilica on April 11 to host a prayer vigil for peace.
(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
