Pope Leo XIV urges peace in Easter sermon, warns of “globalization of indifference"

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Pope Leo XIV delivers his 'Urbi et Orbi' (to the City of Rome, and to the World) blessing message from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on April 05, 2026 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

Pope Leo XIV harkened back to the words of his predecessor Sunday as he delivered his first Easter blessing.

Big picture view:

Within his speech about Easter’s message of hope, the U.S.-born pontiff warned about the dangers of becoming accustomed to violence, cautioning about how people are "growing accustomed" and "resigning themselves" to it.

Pope Leo XIV quotes Pope Francis

What they're saying:

"There is an ever-increasing ‘globalization of indifference,’ to borrow an expression dear to Pope Francis, who one year ago from this loggia addressed his final words to the world, reminding us: ‘What a great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day in the many conflicts raging in different parts of the world!’"

Dig deeper:

Leo listed all the ways that indifference can manifest in society, explaining that it leads to the acceptance of thousands of people dying, the repercussions of hatred and division, as well as the social and political consequences. He added that those effects are felt by everyone. 

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Iran war, Ukraine not mentioned

While his speech cautioned followers about growing used to violence, his speech did not mention any of the conflicts happening around the world, including the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and the continuing conflict in Iran.

Typically, an address like this would include a rundown of troubles around the world, the Associated Press reported, noting that Leo had done that in his Christmas address.

First Easter Blessing

An estimated 50,000 people had gathered in St. Peter’s Square to hear Leo’s first Urbi et Orbi blessing. Its title is Latin for "to the city and the world." FOX News reported that Leo’s address ended with him wishing them a happy Easter in ten languages and singing the Regina Caeli.