Catholics Around the World Celebrate Easter Sunday Amid Calls for Peace and Reflection Catholics across the globe marked Easter Sunday as the most significant feast in the Christian calendar, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV presided over the Easter Vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica, a central liturgical event attended by thousands of faithful. The ceremony, rooted in ancient traditions, began in darkness and culminated in the lighting of the Paschal candle, symbolizing the transition from death to life. During the vigil, several adult converts were baptized, underscoring the Church’s ongoing growth and global outreach. The Pope’s Easter message emphasized the urgent need to combat indifference toward war, injustice, and human suffering. He warned that fear, mistrust, and hatred continue to erode relationships between nations and individuals, urging instead a commitment to reconciliation and peace. His remarks echoed themes of compassion and solidarity, which he had repeatedly stressed during Holy Week. The Pope highlighted the importance of hope and renewal in a world grappling with instability, framing Easter as a celebration of victory over death and the promise of new life. In Jerusalem, one of Christianity’s holiest cities, Easter celebrations unfolded under strict restrictions due to the ongoing regional conflict. Authorities permitted services at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed to be the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, but access to the site remained limited. Earlier in Holy Week, tensions escalated when church leaders were briefly barred from entering the site, an incident described as unprecedented in modern times.#vatican #pope_Leo_XIV #st_peters_basilica #church_of_the_holy_sepulchre #easter_vigil
