Pope urges global ceasefire amid war as he leads Holy Week services in Vatican square
On the morning of Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV opened his first Palm Sunday Mass at St Peter's Square with a forceful call for peace during times of conflict and violence around the world. During this Lenten campaign event held today (March 29), he emphasized that God does not listen to prayers from those who wage war while urging believers worldwide "to lay down your weapons." The Pope concluded his homily by identifying Jesus as King of Peace, reinforcing a message consistent with recent calls for global reconciliation and the cessation of hostilities.
Key Points
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1Pope Leo XIV delivered a solemn Palm Sunday Mass on March 29 in Vatican City to mark the beginning of Holy Week.
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2The Pope emphasized that Jesus, King of Peace, always rejects violence and does not listen to prayers from those who wage war.
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3He urged believers to follow Christ's example by embracing humanity even as others embrace them with hatred or indifference.
Developments
Pope Leo XIV delivered a homily on Palm Sunday emphasizing that Jesus rejects violence while offering himself to embrace humanity. He highlighted Christ's meekness and peace in contrast to current wars, particularly those affecting Christians of the Middle East who struggle with liturgies during Holy Week.
Pope Leo XIV delivered Palm Sunday homily on March 29 in St. Peter's Square where he described Jesus as King of Peace who walks humbly and refuses violence to embrace humanity despite surrounding conflict, fulfilling prophecy by riding a donkey rather than war horses while remaining silent like the lamb led to slaughter for human sins
Pope Leo XIV led a Palm Sunday Mass at St Peter's Square on March 29 and issued an urgent appeal for peace during Holy Week. He specifically called upon Christians worldwide—and highlighted the conflict between Israel, Iran, and the United States—to pray against violence in favor of reconciliation while reflecting on Christ as King of Peace.
Pope Leo delivered an evocative homily in St. Peter's Square during Palm Sunday 2026, proclaiming "Jesus is King of Peace" amidst imagery resembling palm fronds on a floor mural and without directly naming the Iran or Ukraine wars. He described humanity as crucified due to violence and war while urging people to lay down their weapons by following Jesus' path toward peace rather than embracing swords and clubs that separate neighbors from God's love.