During Pope Leo XIV's Prayer Vigil for Peace in the world, the Pope appealed to leaders of nations to stop and sit at the table of dialogue and mediation, "not at the table where rearmament is planned and deadly actions are decided!", Vatican News reports.

He also insisted that the Church will always advance in calling for peace "even when rejecting the logic of war may lead to misunderstanding and scorn," and will always instil "obedience to God rather than any human authority".

*Pope Leo XIV speaks to crowds in St Peter’s Square at the Peace Vigil on Saturday, March 11. IMAGE: Vatican News video screenshot.*

The Pope said that all brothers and sisters of every language, people and nation are one family that weeps, hopes and rises again, and thus, he again called on that family to embrace the appeal of his predecessor Pope, Saint John Paul II, to declare together, “No more war, a journey with no return; no more war, a vicious cycle of grief and violence”.

Pope Leo concluded wishing that the peace of the Risen Christ, the fruit of His sacrifice of love on the Cross, be with all people, and inviting everyone to join him in reciting the prayer for peace below.

Lord Jesus,
you conquered death without weapons or violence:
you shattered its power with the strength of peace.
Grant us your peace,
as you did to the women filled with doubt on Easter morning,
as you did to the disciples who were hiding in fear.
Send forth your Spirit,
the breath that gives life and reconciles,
that turns adversaries and enemies into brothers and sisters.
Inspire in us to trust in Mary, your mother,
who stood at the foot of your cross with a broken heart,
firm in the faith that you would rise again.
May the madness of war cease
and the Earth be cared for and cultivated by those who still
know how to bring forth, protect and love life.
Hear us, Lord of life!

This article is drawn from a Vatican News article by By Deborah Castellano Lubov.