Pope Leo XIV's First Easter Mass Calls for Global Peace

Pope Leo XIV Easter Mass Peace Dialogue Jerusalem Holy Sites

May 1, 20269 min readMiddle East

Pope Leo XIV's First Easter Mass Calls for Global Peace

Pope Leo XIV urges dialogue and peace in Easter message.

{"results": [{"url": "https://apnews.com/article/611de44cf58ffa153f00ae1145ad3130", "title": "Pope Leo's first Easter Mass calls for peace through dialogue | AP News", "summary": "Summary:\n\n- The article reports Pope Leo XIV\u2019s first Easter Mass at St. Peter\u2019s Basilica, focusing on a message of peace through dialogue and a call for weapons to be laid down, amid global conflicts including the U.S.\u2013Israeli war on Iran and Russia\u2019s campaign in Ukraine. He did not name the wars directly in the Urbi et Orbi blessing, a departure from tradition.\n- Key themes: hope, transformation through love, and a plea to resist violence and profit-driven harm to the vulnerable. He announced a peace prayer vigil for April 11 and urged dialogue over force.\n- Notable shifts in practice: Leo spoke in 10 languages (including Arabic), revived the tradition of washing priests\u2019 feet on Holy Thursday, and carried the cross during the Way of the Cross. He also opened the Easter Mass with a more global, inclusive tone than his predecessor in recent years.\n\nContext relevant to your query:\n- The article centers on Pope Leo XIV\u2019s Easter Mass and global peace messaging rather than any specific attack events in Jerusalem or by a nun. If you\u2019re seeking coverage of an attack in Jerusalem or related to a nun in April 2026, this piece does not describe such an incident. For Reuters/AP/Jerusalem Post coverage of attacks in Jerusalem, searches focusing on that specific event in April 2026 are recommended."}, {"url": "https://apnews.com/video/patriarch-theophilos-iii-washes-feet-of-orthodox-priests-in-jerusalem-at-ceremony-ahead-of-easter-f0f326e5bd884e7191549bf4f0a3351d", "title": "Patriarch Theophilos III washes feet of Orthodox priests in Jerusalem at ceremony ahead of Easter | AP News", "summary": "Summary:\n- The referenced AP News video covers Patriarch Theophilos III washing the feet of Orthodox priests in Jerusalem during an Easter ceremony, notable for the Holy Sepulchre\u2019s reopening after restrictions tied to conflict in the area. The piece highlights a moment of religious ritual in Jerusalem\u2019s Old City and the broader context of wartime restrictions on holy sites.\n\nUser query context:\n- The query mentions topics around a nun, attacks in Jerusalem (April 2026), Reuters/AP, Jerusalem Post, an assault/spitting incident at a church, and Old City.\n\nNotes:\n- The current article describes a peaceful ceremonial act by a patriarch and the Holy Sepulchre\u2019s reopening; it does not report any nun attack or street assault.\n- If you\u2019re seeking coverage specifically on an April 2026 incident involving a nun, assault, or spit incident near a church in Jerusalem\u2019s Old City, this AP clip does not provide those details. You may want to check Reuters, AP, Jerusalem Post, or other outlets for that specific incident and dates."}, {"url": "https://apnews.com/article/jerusalem-holy-sites-reopened-iran-war-13deb8fdf364e2b31b23c07ac066c14a", "title": "Israel lifts restrictions at Jerusalem's holy sites | AP News", "summary": "Summary:\n- The AP article reports that Israel lifted restrictions on access to Jerusalem\u2019s holy sites after a fragile ceasefire, allowing worshippers to pray again at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, the Western Wall, and related Christian sites.\n- The move follows six weeks of restrictions during the Israel-Iran war, which limited large gatherings and often sent residents to shelters during missile attacks.\n- The Al-Aqsa compound reopened for dawn prayers; the Western Wall saw many worshippers praying. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is highlighted in context of Easter observances and prior tensions when Catholic leaders were blocked from private Masses on Palm Sunday.\n- The piece notes reactions: some praise the reopening as a relief for believers; others accuse the restrictions of leveraging the war to limit access to sacred sites. Netanyahu cited safety concerns; Cardinal Pizzaballa was allowed entry on Easter Sunday.\n- Anecdotes include worshippers\u2019 expressions of relief and one critic\u2019s view that access was restricted as a wartime pretext.\n\nIf you\u2019re looking for specifics about a February\u2013April 2026 incident involving a nun or a separate attack on Christians in Jerusalem\u2019s Old City, this article does not mention such an event. It focuses on policy changes around access to holy sites during and after the recent ceasefire and Easter/ Ramadan observances. For related reporting on a nun-attack or assaults in the Old City, consider seeking Reuters or AP coverage specifically detailing that incident."}, {"url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/europe/pope-leo-urges-peace-in-first-easter-mass-as-christians-celebrate-in-jerusalem-and-tehran-1.500496910", "title": "Pope Leo urges peace in first Easter Mass as Christians celebrate in Jerusalem and Tehran", "author": "AP", "summary": "Summary:\n- The article reports on Pope Leo XIV\u2019s first Easter Mass as pope, delivered in Vatican City on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026. \n- He urged global peace, calling for weapons to be laid down and wars to be resolved through dialogue, and announced a peace prayer vigil for April 11. \n- He did not name specific wars in his Urbi et Orbi blessing, but referenced ongoing conflicts and a general call to end indifference to suffering. \n- The pope reaffirmed Easter\u2019s message of hope and healing, emphasized care for the vulnerable, and renewed some traditional practices (greeting in multiple languages, washing priests\u2019 feet on Holy Thursday). \n- The piece notes context around broader wars (e.g., Iran-Israel tensions, Ukraine) and references Pope Francis\u2019s earlier Easter message.\n\nRelevance to user query (nun attack/Jerusalem context): The article does not discuss any attack involving a nun or violence in Jerusalem. It focuses on Pope Leo XIV\u2019s Easter Mass and calls for peace. If you\u2019re seeking information about a separate April 2026 incident in Jerusalem involving a nun or attacks near a church, please provide more details or a specific source to summarize."}, {"url": "https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2026-04-06/ty-article/.premium/no-passover-no-easter-the-wars-deep-impact-on-the-old-city-of-jerusalem/0000019d-61da-d2c6-ad9d-79df1e650000", "title": "No Passover, No Easter: The War's Deep Impact on the Old City of Jerusalem - Israel News", "author": "Nir Hasson", "summary": "Summary:\n- The article reports on the impact of ongoing conflict on Jerusalem\u2019s Old City during Easter, focusing on daily life and commerce around the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It highlights Wadie Hajar, a long-time juice stall operator, whose earnings peak during the Easter period but have been disrupted by weeks of idleness due to violence and security concerns.\n- The piece situates Easter and Passover within a context of religious sites and pilgrims in the Old City, illustrating how security tensions affect local businesses and visitors during a peak religious season.\n- It emphasizes the broader atmosphere of disruption and rebuilding in the city during wartime, including the strain on traditional Holy Week activities.\n\nNote: The user query mentions several terms (nun attacked, Jerusalem, Reuters/AP/Jerusalem Post, assault, church, old city, spit) that suggest interest in reports of a violent incident involving a nun or other religious figures. The provided article excerpt centers on economic and social disruption during Easter in the Old City, not on a specific attack. If you want coverage specifically about a nun-related attack in Jerusalem during April 2026 from Reuters, AP, or Jerusalem Post, I can pull and summarize that incident separately."}, {"url": "https://africa.reuters.com/world/africa/nigerian-army-rescues-31-hostages-after-church-attack-2026-04-05/", "title": "Reuters | Breaking International News & Views", "summary": "Summary tailored to your query:\n- This Reuters Africa page compiles global breaking news with a focus on finance, geopolitics, and major events. The included items span: Artemis II\u2019s return from the Moon, Iran-US talks and regional tensions, Israel-Lebanon negotiations, the Netanyahu corruption trial, U.S. inflation and energy prices, and other geopolitical developments.\n- Notably, there is no specific, verifiable report in this snapshot about an April 2026 attack in Jerusalem involving a nun, an assault in the Old City, or related church-targeted violence. If you\u2019re looking for coverage on an April 2026 nun attack in Jerusalem or a related incident reported by Reuters, AP, or The Jerusalem Post, this excerpt does not contain that detail.\n- If your interest is in a potential religious-site or nun-target incident in Jerusalem (April 2026), please provide a direct link or confirm you\u2019d like me to search for that specific event across Reuters, AP, and Jerusalem Post to extract a precise, dated summary with key facts (location, casualties, perpetrator/claims, responses from authorities, and any impact on security or interfaith relations).\n\nWould you like me to fetch and summarize the specific incident you mentioned (nun attacked in Jerusalem in April 2026) from Reuters, Associated Press, and Jerusalem Post?"}, {"url": "https://mobile.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-ben-gvir-visits-flashpoint-al-aqsa-mosque-compound-2026-04-12/", "title": "Israel's Ben-Gvir visits flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound | Reuters", "summary": "Summary:\n\n- The article reports on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir\u2019s visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound (Temple Mount) in Jerusalem, highlighting tensions around Jewish access to a site sacred to Muslims.\n- Ben-Gvir stated the visit aimed to expand Jewish worship access and prayer permissions, claiming progress and pressuring Prime Minister Netanyahu to \u201cdo more.\u201d\n- The visit drew condemnation from Jordan and the Palestinian Authority, with Jordan calling it a violation of the status quo and a desecration; Palestinian officials warned it could destabilize the region.\n- Israel says the arrangement is to maintain the status quo: Jews may visit but not pray; there was no immediate reaction from Netanyahu\u2019s office to indicate policy change.\n- The piece notes the long-standing sensitivity of Al-Aqsa/Temple Mount and past episodes of violence linked to changes in access rules.\n\nRelevance to user query (nun attack in Jerusalem April 2026): The article is not about a nun or a church attack; it focuses on Ben-Gvir\u2019s visit to Al-Aqsa and the ensuing diplomatic backlash. If you\u2019re seeking information on a nun-related incident in Jerusalem in April 2026, this article does not cover that event. Would you like me to search for the specific nun attack near the Old City or a related church incident?"}, {"url": "http://uk.reuters.com/world/africa/nigerian-army-rescues-31-hostages-after-church-attack-2026-04-05/", "title": "Reuters | Breaking International News & Views", "summary": "Summary:\n- The page appears to be a Reuters news homepage compilation, featuring multiple regional and topic sections (Artemis space mission, Iran war talks, econ/world items) rather than a single focused article. \n- Your query seeks information about a specific incident: a nun attacked in Jerusalem (April 2026) involving spitting or assault near a church in the Old City, with sources like Reuters, AP, Jerusalem Post. \n- From the provided text, there is no explicit article or details about such an attack. The visible items cover:\n - Artemis II mission returns to Earth (April 10, 2026)\n - U.S.-Iran peace talks in Pakistan (April 11, 2026)\n - Iran-related leadership and ceasefire discussions\n - U.S. consumer inflation and oil market moves\n- If you\u2019re specifically looking for coverage of an April 2026 nun attack in Jerusalem, this excerpt does not contain that report. I can:\n - Narrow search to Reuters, AP, and Jerusalem Post articles about a nun attacked in Jerusalem in April 2026.\n - Pull the exact article(s) with dates, locations (Old City, church), nature of assault (spit, physical attack), and any follow-up details (injuries, motives, responses).\n- Would you like me to fetch the targeted article(s) or provide a brief roundup if/when I locate the exact report?"}, {"url": "https://uat.apnews.com/video/patriarch-theophilos-iii-washes-feet-of-orthodox-priests-in-jerusalem-at-ceremony-ahead-of-easter-f0f326e5bd884e7191549bf4f0a3351d", "title": "Patriarch Theophilos III washes feet of Orthodox priests in Jerusalem at ceremony ahead of Easter | AP News", "summary": "Summary:\nA video report from AP covers Patriarch Theophilos III of the Orthodox Church washing the feet of Orthodox priests in Jerusalem ahead of Easter. The ceremony took place in the historic Holy Sepulchre, which had been partially reopened after restrictions tied to the ongoing conflict in the Holy Land. The piece situates the event within broader tensions around holy sites in Jerusalem\u2019s Old City, noting that access to the Holy Sepulchre had been previously restricted due to the war. No mention in the provided text of an attack on a nun or related incident. If your interest is specifically about an April 2026 Reuters/AP/Jerusalem Post report involving a nun attacked in Jerusalem or an assault in the Old City, this article does not describe such an event."}, {"url": "http://ca.reuters.com/world/easter-vigil-pope-leo-urges-world-not-grow-numb-war-2026-04-04/", "title": "Reuters | Breaking International News & Views", "summary": "Summary:\n\n- The Reuters article and related coverage focus on attacks and violence around Jerusalem, including a reported assault in the Old City and threats against Christian sites, with broader context of the Israel-Lebanon and Iran-related tensions in April 2026.\n- The user query mentions a nun attacked in Jerusalem, an assault near a church, and a spit/insult incident involving a nun; this specific turn is not clearly confirmed in the provided Reuters page excerpt.\n- Key related points in the page:\n - Ongoing Israeli strikes in the region and regional attacks (Israel-Lebanon, Iran talks, ceasefire dynamics).\n - Public reporting on violence affecting civilians and religious sites, with imagery of a trapped woman in Beirut and broader Middle East turmoil.\n - Coverage includes political commentary on U.S. responses to the Israel-Iran conflict and its impact on regional stability, including church/community impacts.\n- If you\u2019re seeking details on the nun incident in Jerusalem, this page hints at broader church-related risk during the conflict but does not provide a definitive account of a nun being attacked or spit-based assault in the Old City. You may want to check the latest Reuters/AP/ Jerusalem Post updates for a confirmed report."}]}

Originally published by Al Jazeera.

Sources (22)

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aljazeera.com

Israel lifts restrictions at Jerusalem's holy sites | AP News

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Pope Leo urges peace in first Easter Mass as Christians celebrate in Jerusalem and Tehran

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OIC condemns Israeli approval of 34 new West Bank settlements | Israel-Palestine conflict News | Al Jazeera

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The pope has shown the world how to stand up to Trump | Donald Trump | Al Jazeera

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Armenia arrests archbishop over alleged coup plot | Reuters

reuters.com

Armenian clerics arrested in government crackdown | AP News

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Israeli police prevent Palm Sunday Mass at Jerusalem church | AP News

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Subdued Passover and Easter in Jerusalem as Iran war rages | AP News

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Pope Leo's first Easter Mass calls for peace through dialogue | AP News

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Israel's Ben-Gvir visits flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound | Reuters

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Pope Leo XIV condemns US-Israeli war with Iran, calls for peace | AP News

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Pope Leo condemns ‘brutality’ of world in first Easter services | Religion | Al Jazeera

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Israel's Ben-Gvir visits flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound | Reuters

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Pope Leo decries world ruled by ‘tyrants’ after Trump attacks | News | Al Jazeera

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Pope Leo visits Cameroon with message of peace amid attacks from Trump | Conflict News | Al Jazeera

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Patriarch Theophilos III washes feet of Orthodox priests in Jerusalem at ceremony ahead of Easter | AP News

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No Passover, No Easter: The War's Deep Impact on the Old City of Jerusalem - Israel News

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Patriarch Theophilos III washes feet of Orthodox priests in Jerusalem at ceremony ahead of Easter | AP News

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