Pope Leo XIV urged world leaders to opt for peace and dialogue during Easter Mass
發佈日期: 2026-04-06 19:42
TVB News
As millions of the Christians celebrated Easter around the world, Pope Leo XIV called upon world leaders who have started military conflicts to instead opt for peace, further urging the global community not to become numb to war.
Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Iranian and Palestinian Christians echoed the pope's sentiment, while the Holy Land itself remained largely empty of visitors due to the war in Iran.
Jerusalem's streets were filled with an eerie silence on what was supposed to be a cheerful day commemorating Jesus' resurrection.
The few people that remained in public largely consisted of armed patrols and the most devout.
Very sad to see Jerusalem empty like this.
Usually pilgrimages come, especially on this day.
Everybody would hold this to welcome Jesus to come here.
But it's very sad because of the war.
Since the 28th of February, Israeli and US forces have been pummeling Iran with barrages of missiles, while Jerusalem itself had been subject to numerous strikes.
Israeli authorities have responded to the attacks by limiting gatherings to a maximum of 50 people, as well as closing off the Western Wall to the public and reducing church-related activities.
Large amounts of local Jews and Christians coped with the restrictions by offering their prayers outside the historic wall and at other sacred sites in the city.
Celebrating Easter Mass at St. Peter's Square on the same day, Pope Leo XIV began his Urbi et Orbi address with global greetings in 10 languages including Chinese, Arabic and Latin.
In his speech, the pontiff said death exists in a world of injustice and disregard for the weakest in society, and stressed that the latter are currently being devastated by war.
He also implored warring parties to achieve peace through dialogue.
In the heart of the Iran war, worshippers at this Armenian church in Tehran were not hoping for much this Easter -- but only a return to normality.
The city's Archbishop of the Armenian Diocese in Tehran, Sepuh Sargsyan, noted that the local community's prayers were mostly for the end of the war and for a return to their lives in peace.
In Gaza's Holy Family Church, the only Catholic church in the battered territory, many expressed their thankfulness for a period of calm owing to an earlier ceasefire.
Some of the faithful said they feel immense joy being able to celebrate all the Easter rituals and ceremonies this year, adding that they will continue to pray for the residents in Jerusalem and the West Bank.
