Pope Leo XIV presided over his first Easter Mass and delivered the traditional Urbi et Orbi — 'to the city and to the world' — address on Sunday, using the globally watched occasion to appeal for peace in regions torn by war and conflict. The address marked a significant early statement from the new pontiff, who was elected in recent weeks as the first American pope in the history of the Catholic Church.

In his Easter message, Pope Leo XIV called on world leaders and nations to pursue dialogue and end hostilities, addressing multiple ongoing conflicts without singling out specific parties by name in all cases. The pope's remarks drew particular attention for their engagement with tensions surrounding Iran, according to reporting published ahead of the address, signaling that the new pontiff intends to use the Church's moral platform to weigh in on geopolitical flashpoints.

Tens of thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, while Catholics and other Christians marked Easter across the globe with services and celebrations. The Easter Sunday address is one of the most prominent annual moments for any sitting pope, and Leo XIV's first delivery of the speech was closely watched by both religious observers and diplomatic analysts assessing the new leader's tone and priorities.

The choice to emphasize peace as a central theme in his first Easter address is consistent with a tradition established by his predecessors, but observers noted that the specific references to current geopolitical situations gave the address particular contemporary weight. The Vatican has historically positioned itself as a neutral mediator in international conflicts, and Pope Leo XIV's remarks appeared to reinforce that role.