In Easter message, Pope Leo warns world is 'becoming indifferent' to violence

Pope Leo XIVIn Easter message, Pope Leo warns world is 'becoming indifferent' to violenceThe Chicago-born Pope's rallying cry against war and hatred came days after he publicly called for Trump to find an "off-ramp" to the Iran war.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Pope Leo XIV waves to the crowd from the popemobile after the Easter Mass as part of the Holy Week celebrations, at St Peter's square in the Vatican on April 5.Alberto Pizzoli / AFP - Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 5, 2026, 7:56 AM EDTBy Freddie ClaytonPope Leo warned the world was becoming "accustomed to violence" in his Easter message from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, deliver a rallying cry against war and hatred to the tens of thousands as conflict rages in the Middle East.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.In his first Urbi et Orbi message, the traditional apostolic blessing and message to the world, the American-born Pope called upon humanity to "abandon every desire for conflict, domination and power," and said the world risked becoming “indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people” and the “hatred and division that conflicts sow.”"Let those who have weapons lay them down," he said. "Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace! Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue!""We cannot continue to be indifferent," he continued. "And we cannot resign ourselves to evil."Pope Leo has consistently positioned himself as a critic of war and of political rhetoric that fuels it, addressing President Donald Trump directly for the first time in the past week as he urged restraint and de-escalation in the war in Iran.Pope Leo XIV waves to the crowd from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica for the Urbi et Orbi message and blessing to the city and the world as part of Easter celebrations on April 5.Alberto Pizzoli / AFP - Getty Images“Hopef...