Pope Leo XIV will celebrate Easter Sunday for the first time as pontiff, with the ongoing Middle East war casting a shadow over the Christian world’s most significant celebration.
The US-born pope, known for his outspoken calls for peace, will hold Mass at St. Peter’s Square from 0830 GMT before thousands of faithful, followed by his traditional Easter blessing at 1000 GMT. This year’s ceremony also evokes memories of late Pope Francis, who made his final public appearance on Easter Sunday last year.
During the Easter Vigil, Pope Leo called for “a new world of peace and unity,” lamenting the divisions caused by war, injustice, and the isolation of nations. He has repeatedly urged an end to the Middle East conflict and directly appealed to US leadership to seek diplomatic solutions.
The conflict has affected Christian communities across the region. In Jerusalem, services at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre are being held behind closed doors due to Israeli security restrictions, marking the first total closure of the site for many residents. Jack Straw, a local, described the empty church as a poignant reminder of the challenges facing the faithful this year.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, noted that the silence around the church reflects the ongoing turmoil in the region. In southern Lebanon, Christian communities near the Israeli border continue to face bombardments, leaving villages like Debel isolated and dependent on aid. Residents described fear and sleepless nights as shelling and gunfire persist, placing their trust in God for hope and protection.
As Easter celebrations unfold, Pope Leo XIV’s message underscores the importance of faith, unity, and the pursuit of peace in a region marred by conflict, highlighting the resilience of Christians living amid violence.
