A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
Pope Leo XIV, in his Easter mass on Sunday, called on those with the power to unleash wars to choose a path of peace. It was the American pope's first time leading the Easter celebration since he became head of the Catholic Church. Here's NPR's Ruth Sherlock.
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UNIDENTIFIED CHOIR: (Singing in non-English language).
RUTH SHERLOCK, BYLINE: At an altar, at the top of steps laden with springtime flowers in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Pope Leo led prayers in Christianity's most joyous celebration of the year.
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UNIDENTIFIED CHOIR: (Singing in non-English language).
SHERLOCK: In his service, speaking to a crowd of tens of thousands of people, Leo described Easter as the victory of life over death.
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POPE LEO XIV: (Non-English language spoken).
SHERLOCK: Of light over darkness.
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LEO XIV: (Non-English language spoken).
SHERLOCK: Of love over hatred.
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LEO XIV: (Non-English language spoken).
UNIDENTIFIED CHOIR: RUTH SHERLOCK == SHERLOCK == BYLINE
SHERLOCK: He repeated the message of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who in his final address at Easter last year, the very day before he died, reminded the faithful of, quote, "the great thirst for death, for killing we witness each day in conflicts raging in different parts of the world" (ph).
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LEO XIV: (Non-English language spoken).
UNIDENTIFIED CHOIR: (Singing in non-English language).
SHERLOCK: Leo, the first American pope, has repeatedly spoken out against the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran. Shortly after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly prayed for violence against his enemies, Leo said in a Palm Sunday mass that God doesn't listen to the prayers of those who wage war.
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UNIDENTIFIED CHOIR: (Singing in non-English language).
SHERLOCK: In this Easter service, without mentioning any specific country, Leo warned the world against growing accustomed to violence and resigning ourselves to it with an indifference that he said makes us feel powerless in the face of evil.
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LEO XIV: (Non-English language spoken).
SHERLOCK: Indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people, he said, indifferent to the repercussions of hatred and division that conflicts so.
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UNIDENTIFIED CHOIR: (Singing in non-English language).
SHERLOCK: On this day of celebration, Leo called on the world to, quote, "abandon every desire for conflict, dominion and power." And instead, he said, implore God for peace.
Ruth Sherlock, NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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