Pope Leo XIV, carrying a tall, lit candle through a darkened and silent St Peter’s Basilica, ushered in Christianity’s most joyous celebration with his first Easter vigil service as pontiff on Saturday night. The pope urged that Easter would bring harmony and peace to a world torn by wars. Easter for Christians commemorates Christ’s triumph over death with his resurrection following his crucifixion. Pope Leo XIV arrives for the Easter Vigil inside St Peter’s Basilica (Andrew Medichini/AP)With the US-Israeli war on Iran in its second month and Russia’s ongoing campaign in Ukraine, Leo has repeatedly called for a halt in hostilities. On Sunday morning, Leo will celebrate an open-air mass in St Peter’s Square before delivering his Easter message and offer the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” message “to the city (of Rome) and the world,” which acts as a summary of the world’s woes.
