Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Easter Mass as pontiff on Sunday, greeting thousands of faithful Catholics at St. Peter's Basilica and Square in Rome.

In his remarks, Pope Leo amplified his urgent plea for world leaders to abandon schemes of domination and power. 

"Let those who have weapons lay them down!" ​said the head of the Catholic Church, "Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace!"

Without naming individual leaders, the US-born pope said, "On this day of celebration, let us abandon every desire for conflict, domination, and power, and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars."

An unflinching critic of war, especially the new US-Israeli war in Iran, Leo cautioned the faithful against "growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent."

Easter Sunday Mass at the Vatican marks the high point of the liturgical year for Catholics around the world, celebrating their belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and his victory over death.

In his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" blessing, delivered from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Leo offered messages of Easter peace in 10 languages, including Arabic, Chinese and Latin.

Leo told those gathered that he would return to St. Peter's to pray for peace at an upcoming vigil on Saturday.

Edited by: Sean Sinico