POPE Leo XIV has issued a passionate appeal for an end to global conflict, declaring “Enough of war!” as he led a peace vigil at St Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, in a ceremony dedicated to prayer for countries affected by ongoing wars, including conflicts in the Middle East.
The vigil, announced by the Pope on Easter Sunday, April 5, brought together thousands of faithful in St Peter’s Square before continuing inside the basilica, where the Pontiff led a rosary prayer focused on the glorious mysteries.
Prior to entering the basilica, Pope Leo briefly addressed the crowd gathered in the square, thanking them for their presence and emphasising that peace remains achievable even in times of widespread conflict.
Inside the basilica, the rosary was accompanied by biblical readings and reflections from early Church Fathers, including Saint Cyprian of Cartagena, Saint Caesar of Arles, Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Ambrose of Milan and Saint Augustine.
As part of a symbolic gesture for peace, representatives from five continents lit candles at the foot of an image of Mary, Queen of Peace.
In his homily, the Pope contrasted violence and hope, saying: “War divides, hope unites. Arrogance tramples, love lifts. Blind idolatry, the living God illuminates.”
“A little faith is enough — a pinch of faith, dear brothers — to face together, as humanity and with humanity, this dramatic hour of history,” he said.
He stressed that prayer should not be seen as an escape from responsibility, but as an active force for change.
“Prayer, in fact, is not a refuge to evade our responsibilities, it is not a painkiller to avoid the pain that unleashes so much injustice,” he said.
“It is, on the other hand, the most free, universal and disruptive response to death: We are a people who are already resurrected!”
“Let’s get up from the rubble again!” he added. “Nothing can lock us in an already-written destiny, not even in this world in which the graves seem not to be enough, because life continues to be crucified, annihilated, without right and without mercy.”
Recalling the appeal of Saint John Paul II during the Iraq crisis in 2003 — “Never again war!” — Pope Leo warned against what he described as the dehumanising forces behind modern conflict.
He said prayer can “break the demonic chain of evil and put themselves at the service of the Kingdom of God; a kingdom in which there is no sword, no drones, no revenge, no trivialization of evil, no unfair profit, but only dignity, understanding and forgiveness.”
He added that prayer serves as “a barrier against that delirium of omnipotence that becomes increasingly unpredictable and aggressive around us,” warning that global balances are being destabilised.
The Pope also criticised the misuse of religion to justify violence, saying the “Holy Name of God — the God of life — is dragged into death speeches.”
He warned against what he described as modern “idolatry” of power, stating that individuals fall into destruction when they replace faith with self-worship and absolute control.
“Enough of self-idolation and money! Enough of the show of strength! Enough of the war!” he said. “True strength is manifested in the service to life.”
He urged global leaders to abandon escalation and instead pursue diplomacy.
“Stop! It’s time for peace! Sit at tables of dialogue and mediation, not at tables where rearmament is planned and death actions are deliberated,” he said.
Pope Leo also stressed that responsibility for peace extends beyond political leaders to all individuals, saying: “Each one has his place in the mosaic of peace!”
Reflecting on the symbolism of the rosary, he said its repetitive rhythm represents the gradual and patient building of peace.
“The rosary, like other very old forms of prayer, has united us this afternoon in its regular rhythm, based on repetition,” he said. “This is how peace makes its way, word after word, gesture after gesture.”
He added that peace is formed slowly, “like a rock, it is sculpted drop by drop,” and encouraged the faithful not to be overwhelmed by the “acceleration of a world that does not know what it pursues.”
The Pope concluded by reaffirming the Church’s mission to promote reconciliation and resist violence, even when doing so leads to misunderstanding or opposition.
The Church, he said, “announces the Gospel of peace and educates to obey God before men, especially when it comes to the infinite dignity of other human beings, endangered by the continuous violations of international law.” - April 12, 2026
