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On Saturday night, Pope Leo XIV led a solemn procession through a dimly lit St. Peter’s Basilica, holding a tall, glowing candle. This marked his inaugural Easter vigil service as the pontiff, during which he expressed hope that Easter would foster peace and unity in a world deeply affected by conflict.
For Christians, Easter is a celebration of Jesus Christ’s victory over death, symbolizing his resurrection following the crucifixion.
As he lit the candle at the basilica’s entrance, the pope proclaimed: “The light of Christ who rises in glory.”
As the pope made his way down the central aisle, candle bearers paused to light the candles of those gathered, gradually illuminating the darkened basilica. The flickering lights filled the space until the full lights brightened the scene as Pope Leo reached the ornate main altar, accompanied by cardinals clad in white.
During his homily, Pope Leo described sin as “a heavy barrier that encloses us and distances us from God, attempting to extinguish his words of hope within us.” He compared it to the stone that sealed Jesus’ tomb, which was later found rolled away, signifying Christ’s resurrection.
Leo said that there are stones representing sins to be overturned today, some “so heavy and so closely guarded that they seem to be immovable.”
“Some weigh heavily on the human heart, such as mistrust, fear, selfishness and resentment; others stemming from these inner struggles, sever the bonds between us through war, injustice and the isolation of peoples and nations.
“Let us not allow ourselves to be paralyzed by them!” the pope said, calling on the faithful to make a commitment “so that the Easter gifts of harmony and peace may grow and flourish everywhere and always throughout the world.’’
With the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran in its second month and Russia’s ongoing campaign in Ukraine, Leo has repeatedly called for a halt in hostilities.
On Palm Sunday, he said that God doesn’t listen to the prayers of those who make war or cite God to justify their violence,
As is tradition, Leo baptized 10 adults from all over the world during the Mass.
During Leo’s first Holy Week, which is notoriously demanding, the pontiff carried the cross for the entire 14 stations during the Way of the Cross on Good Friday, the first time a pope has done so for decades.
On Holy Thursday, he washed the feet of 12 priests in the traditional Holy Thursday ritual, restoring a tradition his predecessor Pope Francis had broken by including laypeople and non-Christians.
On Sunday morning, Leo will celebrate an open-air Mass in St. Peter’s Square before delivering his Easter message and offer the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” message “to the city (of Rome) and the world,” which acts as a summary of the world’s woes.