By Daniel Tyokua
Pope Leo XIV has called for end to the ranging Middle East conflict that affects activities.
In his first Easter blessing as Pontiff on Sunday, he urged “those who have the power to unleash wars” to “choose peace”.
Catholics 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.
Leo message which was sourced online by The AUTHORITY, said “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.
The leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, who was elected in May 2025, also called for a prayer vigil at the Vatican on April 11.
He paid tribute to his predecessor pope Francis, who last appeared in public on Easter Sunday last year — a few hours before his death.
Leo has repeatedly called for peace in the Middle East and this week directly urged US President Donald Trump to find an “off-ramp.”
He 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, there was silence in the alleyways of the Old City, left deserted by Israel’s conflict in Gaza and now the Middle East war.
Israeli authorities have severely restricted access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where the faithful commemorate Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, because of security considerations.
On routes approaching the church, police checkpoints screened a small number of worshippers allowed near the site.
All shops in the area were closed, heightening the sense 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.
