Pope Leo XIV convened a worldwide prayer vigil for peace April 11 at St. Peter’s Basilica. He announced the event on Easter Monday. The vigil is open to Catholics, Christians of other denominations, believers of all faiths, and non-believers of goodwill.
He addressed the gathering with a direct rebuke of the war: “Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war! True strength is shown in serving life.” He warned that “even the holy Name of God, the God of life, is being dragged into discourses of death"—a pointed reference to the theological justifications offered for the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
Invoking John Paul II’s appeal during the 2003 Iraq war — “No more war” — Leo XIV said he made that appeal his own. He described a Kingdom “in which there is no sword, no drone, no vengeance, no trivialization of evil, no unjust profit, but only dignity, understanding and forgiveness.” He called directly on the leaders of nations: “Stop! It is time for peace! Sit at the table of dialogue and mediation, not at the table where rearmament is planned and deadly actions are decided!”