“Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war,” Leo said. Russia’s Orthodox Church, too, has justified Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a “holy war” against a Western world it considers has fallen into evil. In a special blessing at the end of Mass, Leo said he was praying especially for Christians in the Middle East who are “suffering the consequences of an atrocious conflict. Pope Leo presides over Palm Sunday Mass in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican (Remo Casilli/Pool Photo via AP)Francis died the following morning after suffering a stroke. Leo will celebrate Easter Sunday Mass in St Peter’s Square and then deliver his Easter blessing from the loggia of the basilica.

Source: The Herald March 29, 2026 10:25 UTC