Pope Leo XIV on Sunday appealed to “those who have the power to unleash wars” to “choose peace” in his first Easter blessing as pontiff, with the Middle East conflict raging.
Christians around the world marked the holiday under the shadow of a war that began with US-Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28 and has drawn in the whole region, convulsing the global economy.
“We are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent. Indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people,” the pope told a crowd in St Peter’s Square.
Pontiff who was elected in May 2025, also called for a prayer vigil at the Vatican on April 11.
The Pope paid tribute to his predecessor pope Francis, who last appeared in public on Easter Sunday last year — a few hours before his death.
Pontiff has repeatedly called for peace in the Middle East and this week directly urged US President Donald Trump to find an “off-ramp.”
On Sunday, the Pope spoke of “a world ravaged by wars and marked by a hatred and indifference that make us feel powerless in the face of evil.”
In Jerusalem, the alleyways of the Old City were silent, deserted by Israel’s fight in Gaza and now the Middle East war.
Due to security concerns, Israeli officials have severely restricted entry to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where believers remember Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.
Police checkpoints checked a small number of worshippers who were permitted to access the church.
The fact that all of the shops in the vicinity were closed added to the sensation of emptiness.
“It’s very hard for all of us because it’s our holiday… It’s really hard to want to pray, but to come here and find nothing. Everything is closed,” said Christina Toderas, 44, from Romania.
Otmar Wassermann, 65, had also attempted to enter the Holy Sepulchre but failed.
“I must say I was somewhat frustrated,” he told AFP, recalling how the feast is generally celebrated every year.
‘Situation is tragic’
“The doors are still closed,” the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, said in his Easter Vigil homily at the Holy Sepulchre.
Pizzaballa was stopped by Israeli police from holding mass in the church last Sunday, an incident that sparked international indignation.
“The silence is almost absolute, broken perhaps by the distant sound of what war continues to sow in this holy and torn land,” he said, according to a text of his sermon issued by his office.
In Lebanon, the predominantly Christian districts in the south are caught in the crossfire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah organization.
In Debel, near the Israeli border, residents celebrated Easter Sunday amidst the sound of shelling around their village, which is now nearly completely sealed off from the outside world and reliant on relief deliveries.
“The situation is tragic,” town notable Joseph Attieh told AFP by phone.
“People are terrified, and the sound of shelling and gunfire has not stopped for a moment since last night. We haven’t been able to sleep.
“We are putting our trust in God,” Attieh said, since “this is the only glimmer of hope we will not give up on.”
The war has also had an influence on the life of Christian minorities throughout the Middle East.
Masses in Dubai have been canceled until further notice due to security reasons. After an attack on a Christian community in central Syria, Catholic authorities in Damascus announced that Easter celebrations would be limited to mass.
