Pope Leo’s Easter Sunday 2026 Holy Mass, Urbi et Orbi blessing at the Vatican: watch the video

Pope Leo XIV greets attendees inside St. Peter's Square from the popemobile, after delivering his Urbi et Orbi message in the Vatican.

Pope Leo's Urbi et Orbi blessing: the full lowdown

Courtesy of Vatican News, the news portal of the Holy See, you can get more details on Pope Leo XIV's Urbi et Orbi blessing here:

In all, Pope Leo spoke in 10 languages ahead of his Urbi et Orbi message, per Vatican correspondent Michael Haynes.

Pope Leo: "We are growing accustomed to violence"

"We are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it and becoming indifferent. Indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people. Indifferent to the repercussions of hatred and division that conflicts sow. Indifferent to the economic and social consequences they produce, which we all feel.

“There is an ever-increasing globalization of indifference, to borrow an expression dear to Pope Francis, who, one year ago, addressed his final words to the world, reminding us what a great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day in the many conflicts raging in different parts of the world.”

Pope Leo: "Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace"

“In the light of Easter, let us allow ourselves to be amazed by Christ. Let us allow our hearts to be transformed by his immense love for us. Let those who have weapons lay them down. Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace. Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue. Not with the desire to dominate others, but with a desire to encounter them.”

Pope Leo XIV delivers his Urbi et Orbi message from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

"Entirely non-violent"

During his Urbi et Orbi blessing, Pope Leo XIV said: "The power with which Christ rose is entirely non-violent. It is like that of a grain of wheat, which, having rotted in the earth, grows, breaks through the clods; sprouts, and becomes a golden ear of wheat.

"It is even more like that of a human heart, which, wounded by an offense, rejects the instinct for revenge. And, filled with compassion, prays for the one who has committed the offense.

“This is the true strength that brings peace to humanity. Because it fosters respectful relationships at every level. Among individuals, families, social groups and nations.

“It does not seek private interests, but the common good. It does not seek to impose its own plan, but to help design and carry out a plan together, with others.”

How many languages does Pope Leo speak?

Before delivering his Urbi et Orbi blessing, Pope Leo could be heard addressing the Catholic community in a number languages.

As AS USA's Alejandro Cañas and David Nelson explore in this article, the American pope is a veritable polyglot.

Pope Leo XIV waves from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, before delivering his Urbi et Orbi blessing from the Vatican.

"Lift our gaze and open our hearts"

During today's Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square, Pope Leo described Christ's resurrection as “not an event of the past”. 

“It contains a vital power which has permeated this world,” he said. “Where all seems to be dead, signs of the resurrection suddenly spring up. It is an irresistible force.”

More quotes from Pope Leo's Easter Sunday Mass can be found on the Vatican News website.

Pope Leo XIV blesses the faithful at the end of the Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

People attend today's Easter Mass, led by Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican's St. Peter's Square.

Catholic Church

Who was Leo XIII, the Pope who fought for the poor and lived far from luxuries

When he was elected as pontiff in May last year, the pope became the first head of the Catholic Church to take the name Leo in over a century.

We take a look back at the last pope to choose the papal name.

Clergy members attendtoday's Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square, led by Pope Leo XIV.

Pope Leo XIV leads this morning's Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square.

Pope Leo XIV arrives to lead Easter Morning Mass in St. Peter's Square.

Celebrations

When is Easter this year? This is how the date determined

Easter is a moveable feast - the exact date moves from year to year. But how is it determined?

We take a look.

Pope Leo XIV leads today's Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square.

Leo's maiden Easter Vigil Mass

On Saturday, Pope Leo presided over his first Easter Vigil Mass at the Vatican:

Catholic Church

Pope Leo XIV: why did Cardinal Robert Prevost choose that name to be Pope and how many more have there been in the entire history of the Vatican?

When he was elected as the new pope 11 months ago, Robert Francis Prevost chose to be known as Leo - becoming the 14th pontiff to go by the papal name.

AS USA's Andy Hall takes a look at the pope's choice of name.

World news

The Dalai Lama joins Pope Leo in call for peace: “I urge for and pray that the violence and conflicts may soon come to an end”

The Dalai Lama this week “wholeheartedly” endorsed Pope Leo XIV in his appeal for peace made during his Palm Sunday Mass.

Read more.

Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV’s watch: Everything you need to know about the brand, style and where to buy it

After being elected as the new pope last year, Leo quickly drew attention for... his choice of watch.

Find out more about the pontiff's timepiece.

Leo's first Holy Week as pope

Pope Leo XIV is presiding over the Holy Week celebrations for the first time since he became the head of the Catholic Church just under a year ago.

In May 2025, Cardinal Robert Prevost became the first ever pontiff from the U.S., when he was elected as the successor to Pope Francis.

Watch the moment Prevost made his first appearance as pope, on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

Easter Sunday Holy Mass and Urbi et Orbi message: welcome

Today, Easter Sunday 2026, the Vatican is the venue for Easter Morning Mass in St. Peter's Square, followed by the pope's traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing.

Mass is due to begin at 10:15 a.m. local time, which translates into a 4:15 a.m. ET/1:15 a.m. PT start in the U.S. The Urbi et Orbi message is then scheduled to take place at midday local time (6:00 a.m. ET/3:00 a.m. PT).

You can take a look at the full Holy Week schedule on the official Vatican website.