In remarks to journalists March 31, Pope Leo XIV renewed his appeal to all world leaders for peace.
“Come back to the table, to dialogue,” he said. “Let’s look for solutions to problems, let’s look for ways to reduce the amount of violence that we’re promoting, that peace — especially at Easter — might reign in our hearts.”
The pope urged prayers for the victims of wars and for a renewed peace that “can give new life to all.” He also hoped that a truce might be observed for Easter.
Strong Words for Peace on Palm Sunday
During his homily at Mass on Palm Sunday, the pope offered strong words and invoked the phrase “King of Peace” several times, referring to Jesus in the Gospel narratives for the day.
“Jesus is the King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war,” said the pope. “He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.
“Christ, the King of Peace, cries out again from His cross: God is love! Have mercy! Lay down your weapons! Remember that you are brothers and sisters!”
Conflict Disrupts Holy Week Liturgies in Middle East
At the end of the Mass on Sunday Pope Leo drew attention to the plight of Christians in the Middle East “who suffer the consequences of a terrible conflict and in many cases cannot fully live the rites of these holy days,” he said.
An illustration of his point came the same day as Catholic officials were denied entrance to Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass.
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, was prevented from celebrating the Mass but led prayers in Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives.
“Today Jesus weeps once more over Jerusalem,” the cardinal said in his reflection with a plea for reconciliation and hope.
Later in the week the Catholic officials reached an agreement with Israeli police for access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for liturgies during Holy Week and Easter.
Meanwhile the Cardinal Archbishop of Tehran joined a prayer vigil in Rome in which he prayed to God for the end of war that has ravaged Iran and the Middle East region.
“Stop the logic of retaliation and revenge,” he prayed, “and through your Spirit suggest new solutions, generous and honorable gestures, spaces for dialogue and patient waiting, more fruitful than the rushed deadlines of war.”
Scientists Reveal New Findings on Shroud of Turin
Scientists announced this week that the Shroud of Turin contains DNA links to the Middle East and India, among other findings in a new study.
As a new mission to the moon is set to lift off Wednesday evening, April 1, a new document and video produced by a Vatican-related organization released “Outer Space and Humanity at the Crossroads: A New Frontier of the Common Good.”
Church Grows in Africa; Nigerian Catholics Curb Easter Vigil Masses
Christians in Nigeria increasingly have come under attack, so this Saturday the celebrations of the Easter Vigil Mass in that country will shift to earlier times from the traditional nighttime liturgies, due to security concerns.
New statistics from the Holy See show that growth of the Catholic Church in Africa continues. With more than 288 million Catholics in 2024, Catholics on the continent now represent 20% of the global share, exceeding Europe.
Monaco Welcomes Pope Leo to European Principality
Pope Leo concluded his apostolic visit to Monaco in Europe with the celebration of Mass and a discussion with young people including answers to their questions about faith, doubt, and hope.
Vatican II’s Prophetic Call to Lay People
The Holy Father continued his catechesis on the documents of the Second Vatican Council during his weekly general audience. He explained the importance of lay people’s service, contributions, and witness to building a Church that reaches out to all and spreads the Gospel, as taught in the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium.
Praying for Priests in Crisis
Priests around the world will renew their promises of ordination on holy Thursday. Pope Leo invited all Catholics to join in his prayer intentions for April in praying for priests in crisis.
“Good Father,” the pope prayed, “teach us as a community to care for our priests: to listen without judging, to give thanks without demanding perfection, to share with them the baptismal mission of proclaiming the Kingdom in word and deed, and to accompany them with closeness and sincere prayer.”
Faithful Mark 505 Years of Easter Mass in the Philippines
The Church in the Philippines this year commemorates 505 years of the celebration of Easter Mass in that country. The Mass first celebrated on Easter in 1521 by the priest chaplain of explorer Ferdinand Magellan marked the beginning of Christianity in the Pacific archipelago.
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