Pope Leo takes intention at Trump in first Easter tackle as US and Iran struggle rages
Pope Leo delivered his first Easter address since being elected in March, appearing to take aim at Donald Trump as he condemned global indifference to thousands of war deaths
Pope Leo XIV delivers his blessing to the faithful at the end of the Easter Vigil(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Pope Leo appeared to target Donald Trump in his inaugural Easter address, denouncing what he characterised as indifference towards the “thousands of people” perishing in warfare.
With the US-Israeli conflict against Iran entering its second month and Russia’s continuing offensive in Ukraine, Leo recognised a sense of apathy “to the deaths of thousands of people…to the repercussions of hatred and division that conflicts sow – to the economic and social consequences they produce.”
Without naming the wars specifically, Leo cited his predecessor, Pope Francis, who during his final public appearance from the same balcony last Easter reminded the faithful of the “great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day.”
His remarks arrive as thousands have perished across the Middle East since the US and Israel struck Iran on February 28.
Violence has persisted in spreading throughout the region, with assaults targeting Iranian sites as well as Israel, US bases and Gulf states. Israel has also resumed strikes on Lebanon, launching a ground offensive on March 2 after Hezbollah retaliated to the February 28 killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reports the Mirror.
According to US-based rights organisation HRANA, 3,531 people have died since the war commenced, including 1,607 civilians and at least 244 children. Lebanese authorities report 1,368 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since March 2, including at least 124 children. Between 500,000 and 1.5 million individuals, both civilian and military, are estimated to have been killed or injured since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Addressing worshippers at the Vatican today, the Pope declared: “Those who have weapons lay them down! Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace! Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue! Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them!”
On the same day, Donald Trump threatened to obliterate Iran’s power plants in a profanity-laden tirade on Truth Social. Trump commanded Iran to “open the f*****’ Strait [of Hormuz]” or else face severe consequences, cautioning that US attacks on Iranian infrastructure will be unprecedented.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran,” Trump penned. “There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F******’ Strait, you crazy b******, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
The US president had given Iran a 10-day ultimatum to open the Strait of Hormuz on March 26. He warned he would unleash “hell” on the country if the deadline, set to end on Monday, was not met.
