(SeaPRwire) –   In his inaugural Easter blessing as pontiff on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV appealed for global peace and cautioned against becoming desensitized to the tens of thousands of deaths resulting from worldwide violent conflicts.

From the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo delivered the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing to a gathering in St. Peter’s Square that, according to Vatican media, exceeded 50,000 people.

The Pope stated that in a world wounded by war and abuse, humanity requires hope and peace, warning against the dangers of becoming numb to violence and apathetic towards mass casualties.

“On this celebratory day, let us renounce all aspirations for conflict, domination, and power, and beseech the Lord to bestow his peace upon a world devastated by wars and characterized by a hatred and indifference that leaves us feeling helpless against evil,” the pope declared.

Leo recalled for the faithful that “the power of Christ’s resurrection is completely nonviolent.”

“In the light of Easter, let us permit ourselves to be astonished by Christ,” he continued. “Let our hearts be changed by his immense love for us. Let those who bear arms put them down. Let those with the authority to start wars opt for peace. Not a peace enforced by might, but one achieved through dialogue. Not through a wish to control others, but to meet them.”

The pontiff also referenced what he identified as the final words Pope Francis delivered to the world from the same balcony a year earlier, when the late pope cautioned about a “globalization of indifference.”

“What a great thirst for death, for killing we witness each day in the many conflicts raging in different parts of the world,” Leo stated, echoing Francis.

Leo brought the blessing to a close by extending Easter greetings in ten different languages and performing the Regina Ceoli.

Earlier, the Pope celebrated his first Easter Mass, urging the faithful to hold onto hope in opposition to “the violence of war that kills and destroys,” and noting that with conflicts proliferating globally, “we need this song of hope today.”

Leo has frequently demanded a cessation of hostilities as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran moves into its second month and Russia persists with its violent offensive in Ukraine.

‘ Courtney Walsh contributed to this report.