Pope Condemns Warmongering in Easter Message

In his first Easter address, Pope Leo XIV calls for an end to violence and the 'globalization of indifference'.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 5:04pm

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In his first Easter Sunday message since becoming the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV delivered a pointed rebuke of warmongering and violence without directly naming President Trump. The Chicago-born pontiff urged those with the power to wage war to instead choose peace through dialogue, not domination. He lamented the world's growing 'indifference' to suffering caused by conflict and called for an end to the 'thirst for death' that has gripped the globe.

Why it matters

The Pope's Easter message represents a significant break from the previous administration's bellicose rhetoric and policies, signaling a shift in the Vatican's stance on global conflicts. As a prominent religious leader, the Pope's words carry weight and could influence the views of millions of Catholics worldwide.

The details

Without directly naming President Trump, Pope Leo XIV delivered a pointed rebuke of warmongering and violence from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. He called on those with the power to wage war to 'let those who have weapons lay them down' and 'choose peace' through dialogue, not domination. The Pope lamented the 'globalization of indifference' and the world's growing 'thirst for death' amid escalating conflicts, echoing the warnings of his predecessor Pope Francis.

  • Pope Leo XIV was elected as the first-ever American Pope on May 8, 2025.
  • This was the Pope's first Easter Sunday message since becoming the head of the Catholic Church.

The players

Pope Leo XIV

The current Pope, elected in 2025 as the first-ever American pontiff. He has not shied away from criticizing the policies of the previous U.S. administration.

Pope Francis

The Pope's predecessor, who warned of a growing 'thirst for death' amid escalating global conflicts.

President Trump

The former U.S. president, whose bellicose rhetoric and policies the Pope's Easter message appears to be a rebuke of, without directly naming him.

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What they’re saying

“'Let those who have weapons lay them down! Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace! Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue! Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them!'”

— Pope Leo XIV, Pope

“'We are growing accustomed to violence… becoming indifferent.'”

— Pope Leo XIV, Pope

“'Jesus is the King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war. He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.'”

— Pope Leo XIV, Pope

What’s next

The Pope's Easter message is likely to reverberate globally, potentially influencing the views of millions of Catholics and shaping the discourse around ongoing conflicts. It remains to be seen how the former U.S. administration and its supporters will respond to the pontiff's pointed rebuke.

The takeaway

The Pope's Easter address represents a significant shift in the Vatican's stance on global conflicts, moving away from the bellicose rhetoric and policies of the previous U.S. administration. As a prominent religious leader, the Pope's words carry weight and could sway public opinion on the morality of war and the importance of pursuing peace through dialogue.