Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday (March 31) renewed his appeal for peace, urging world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, to find ways to end ongoing conflicts and reduce escalating violence.
“I’m told that President Trump recently stated that he would like to end the war. Hopefully he’s looking for an ‘off-ramp’. Hopefully he’s looking for a way to decrease the amount of violence, of bombing, which would be a significant contribution to removing the hatred that’s being created and that’s increasing constantly in the Middle East and elsewhere,” the Pope told journalists outside his summer residence, Castel Gandolfo.
He also called on leaders to return to diplomacy: “Come back to the table, to dialogue. Let’s look for solutions to problems, let’s look for ways to reduce the amount of violence that we’re promoting, that peace — especially at Easter — might reign in our hearts.”
In the YouTube video of his interview, the Pope underscored the urgency of peace as the Christian world approaches Holy Week, describing Easter as “the holiest, most sacred time of the year.”
“It is a time of peace, a time for much reflection, but as we all know, once again in the world, in so many places, we are seeing so much suffering, so many deaths, even innocent children.”
Despite repeated appeals, he noted that violence continues to prevail.
“We make continuous appeals for peace, but unfortunately many people want to promote hatred and violence, war,” the Pope emphasized.
He urged Christians to reflect on suffering in today’s world.
“Especially Christians,” he said, should “live these days recognizing that Christ is still crucified today, that Christ still suffers today in the innocent, especially those who are suffering from violence, hatred, and war.”
“Let us pray for them, for the victims of war, let us pray that there may truly be a new, renewed peace, which can give new life to all,” he added, expressing hope that an Easter truce may still be observed.
A symbolic act of suffering and solidarity
The Pope also confirmed he will personally carry the Cross during the Good Friday Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum — a gesture he described as deeply symbolic.
“I think,” Leo XIV said, “it will be an important sign because of what the Pope represents: a spiritual leader in today’s world, a voice to say that Christ still suffers. And I carry all these sufferings in my prayers as well.”
He closed with a broader appeal for unity and peace:
“[To] all people of goodwill, to people of faith, to walk together, to walk with Christ who suffered for us, to give us salvation, and to seek to be bearers of peace ourselves.”