@Vatican MediaPope Leo XVI’s first Urbi et Orbi was devoted to calling upon the world to embrace the peace of Christ who freed us all from the “dominion of evil,”, not a peace “imposed by force.”
In his address, delivered on Easter Sunday, he exhorted the faithful to recall the victory of Easter that came at such a high price – the unjust condemnation, torture, mockery and death Jesus endured in order to free us from the dominion of evil.
“But how was Jesus able to be victorious? What is the strength with which he defeated once and for all the ancient adversary, the prince of this world (cf. Jn 12:31)? . . .This strength, this power, is God himself for he is Love who creates and generates, Love who is faithful to the end and Love who forgives and redeems.”
Christ fought and won this battle through trusting abandonment to the Father’s will.
“The power with which Christ rose is entirely nonviolent. It is like that of a grain of wheat which, having rotted in the earth, grows, breaks through the clods, sprouts, and becomes a golden ear of wheat. It is even more like that of a human heart which, wounded by an offense, rejects the instinct for revenge and, filled with compassion, prays for the one who has committed the offense.
“Brothers and sisters, this is the true strength that brings peace to humanity, because it fosters respectful relationships at every level: among individuals, families, social groups, and nations. It does not seek private interests, but the common good; it does not seek to impose its own plan, but to help design and carry out a plan together with others.”
Christ’s resurrection is the beginning of a new humanity, the Holy Father said, “the entrance into the true promised land, where justice, freedom, and peace reign, where all recognize one another as brothers and sisters, children of the same Father who is Love, Life, and Light.”
As each of us consider the wonder of the empty tomb, we have a choice: “We can be filled with hope and wonder, like the disciples, or with fear like the guards and the Pharisees, forced to resort to lies and subterfuge rather than acknowledge that the one who had been condemned is truly risen (cf. Mt 28:11–15)!”
In the light of Easter, “let us allow ourselves to be amazed by Christ!” the Pope said. “Let us allow our hearts to be transformed by his immense love for us! Let those who have weapons lay them down! Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace! Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue! Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them!”
He goes on to lament how we are growing too accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it and becoming indifferent.
“Indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people. Indifferent to the repercussions of hatred and division that conflicts sow. Indifferent to the economic and social consequences they produce, which we all feel. There is an ever-increasing “globalization of indifference,” to borrow an expression dear to Pope Francis, who one year ago from this loggia addressed his final words to the world, reminding us: “What a great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day in the many conflicts raging in different parts of the world!” (Urbi et Orbi Message, 20 April 2025).
We are all afraid of death, and out of fear we turn away, preferring not to look, the Holy Father continues, but “We cannot continue to be indifferent! And we cannot resign ourselves to evil! Let us too love the resurrection, which reminds us that evil is not the last word, because it has been defeated by the Risen One.”
Instead, embrace the peace of Christ. “The peace that Jesus gives us is not merely the silence of weapons, but the peace that touches and transforms the heart of each one of us! Let us allow ourselves to be transformed by the peace of Christ! Let us make heard the cry for peace that springs from our hearts!”
For this purpose, the Holy Father is inviting the faithful from around the world to join him in a prayer vigil for peace to be celebrated in Saint Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, April 11.
“On this day of celebration, let us abandon every desire for conflict, domination, and power, and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars and marked by a hatred and indifference that make us feel powerless in the face of evil. To the Lord we entrust all hearts that suffer and await the true peace that only he can give. Let us entrust ourselves to him and open our hearts to him! He is the only one who makes all things new (cf. Rev 21:5).”
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