POPE LEO XIV has urged “those who have the power to unleash wars” to “choose peace” and criticised global indifference to conflicts, in his first Easter blessing.

“We are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent. Indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people,” he told a crowd of faithful in St Peter’s Square, also announcing a prayer vigil at the Vatican for 11 April.

In a break with a tradition observed for years by his predecessors, Leo did not directly refer to any country in his blessing but this year’s Easter celebrations are taking place in the shadow of war in the Middle East.

The pontiff has shown a willingness to criticise the government of his native United States, especially during the current war. 

“Let those who have weapons lay them down!” he said today.

“Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace!

“On this day of celebration, let us abandon every desire for conflict, domination, and power, and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars,” he urged.

Christians gather in St Peter's Square Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Last night’s homily 

Leo, carrying a tall, lit candle through a darkened and silent St Peter’s Basilica, ushered in Christianity’s most joyous celebration with his first Easter vigil service as pontiff last night.

He said that Easter should bring harmony and peace to a world torn by wars.

Lighting the candle before he entered the basilica, the pope intoned: “The light of Christ who rises in glory.”

Candle bearers stopped to light candles of the congregants as they walked down the central aisle, spreading flickers of light through the dark basilica before the lights went up as the pope arrived at the baroque main altar, followed by cardinals dressed in white.

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In his homily, Leo called sin “a heavy barrier that closes us off and separates us from God, seeking to kill his words of hope within us”, and likened it to the stone that had covered Jesus’s tomb — but which was found overturned, revealing his resurrection.

Leo said that there are stones representing sins to be overturned today, some “so heavy and so closely guarded that they seem to be immovable”.

“Some weigh heavily on the human heart, such as mistrust, fear, selfishness and resentment; others stemming from these inner struggles, sever the bonds between us through war, injustice and the isolation of peoples and nations.

“Let us not allow ourselves to be paralysed by them,” the pope said, calling on the faithful to make a commitment “so that the Easter gifts of harmony and peace may grow and flourish everywhere and always throughout the world”.

With reporting from AFP and Press Association