The Pope calls ‘those who have the power to start wars’ to ‘choose peace’

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday called on “those who have the power to start wars” to “choose peace” and denounced “indifference” in the face of thousands of deaths during his traditional Easter Sunday blessing.

“We are getting used to violence, we resign ourselves to it, and we become indifferent. Indifferent to the death of thousands of people. Indifferent to the repercussions of hatred and divisions that conflicts sow” and to their “economic and social consequences,” he declared before the thousands of faithful gathered at the Vatican.

Breaking with the tradition observed for years by his predecessors, Leo XIV did not mention any country or region in crisis in the world. He also announced that a prayer vigil for peace would be held on April 11 at St. Peter’s Square in Rome.