Pope Leo marked his inaugural Easter Mass as pontiff with a heartfelt appeal for hope amidst the global conflicts that continue to wreak havoc and destruction. On Sunday, he underscored the urgent need for a “song of hope,” as wars persist worldwide.

As the US-Israel confrontation with Iran enters its second month and Russia’s military actions in Ukraine persist, Pope Leo has consistently advocated for an end to these hostilities. His calls for peace resonate deeply during this turbulent period.

During his Easter sermon, the pope took a firm stance against those who perpetuate violence, exploit the vulnerable, and prioritize financial gain over human welfare.

Speaking to the congregation from an open-air altar adorned with white roses in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo—making history as the first pope born in the United States—delivered his message of hope. The vibrant spring flowers lining the steps to the piazza, where the faithful had gathered, symbolically echoed his call for renewal and optimism.

The pontiff urged believers to maintain hope, even as they face the specter of death manifested in various forms: from injustices and partisan egoism to the oppression of the impoverished and neglect of the most vulnerable.

“We witness it in acts of violence, in the wounds inflicted upon the world, in the cries of anguish that emanate from every corner due to the abuses that oppress the weakest among us, due to the worship of profit that depletes the earth’s resources, and due to the violence of war that kills and destroys,” Pope Leo passionately articulated.

He quoted his predecessor Pope Francis in warning against falling into indifference in the face of “persistent injustice, evil, indifference and cruelty,” because “it is also true that in the midst of darkness, something new always springs to life and sooner or later produces fruit.”

He will later deliver the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” message — Latin for “to the city and the world.’’

Christians in the Holy Land were marking a subdued Easter

Traditional ceremonies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, revered by Christians as the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, were scaled back under an agreement with Israeli police.

Authorities have put limits on the sizes of public gatherings due to ongoing missile attacks.

The restrictions also dampened the recent Muslim holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr holiday, as well as the current weeklong Jewish festival of Passover.

On Sunday, the Jewish priestly blessing at the Western Wall — normally attended by tens of thousands — was limited to just 50 people.

The restrictions have strained relations between Israeli authorities and Christian leaders.

Police last week prevented two of the church’s top religious leaders, including Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from celebrating Palm Sunday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

On Tuesday, the pope had expressed hope that the war could be finished before Easter.