Pope Leo XIV denounces the horrors of war and the abuse of power during the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum

Published at: 04/04/2026 01:55 PM

During a solemn ceremony held on April 3, Pope Leo XIV led the traditional Way of the Cross at the Colosseum in Rome, where he launched an energetic call for global peace.

Before a crowd of more than 30,000 faithful gathered in the historic Flavian Amphitheater, the supreme pontiff denounced the disasters caused by the current armed conflicts and condemned the abuses of power that, in his words, continue to bleed humanity out in various corners of the planet.

During the seasons of the Way of the Cross, the Pope raised his voice to defend the integrity of the most vulnerable, pointing out that violence only generates more pain and destroys the social fabric of peoples.

With the Colosseum illuminated by torches, Leo XIV emphasized that abuse of authority is a direct affront to human dignity, urging world leaders to lay down their arms and prioritize dialogue as the only legitimate way to resolve geopolitical differences.

The pontiff's homily resonated with particular force when he referred to the need to protect fundamental rights in the face of political and economic ambitions that ignore the value of life.

“We cannot remain indifferent while the dignity of entire communities is trampled upon by the arrogance of the powerful,” said the Holy Father, linking the sacrifice of Christ to the suffering of those who today suffer from hunger, forced displacement and the siege of war.

The event, which lasted late into the night of this Friday, concluded with a special blessing for victims of international violence. Leo XIV's intervention on Good Friday in 2026 is marked as one of the most severe criticisms of his papacy against the global power structure, reaffirming the Church's commitment to social justice and the search for universal reconciliation to stop the cycle of destruction that the contemporary world is going through.

Mazo News Team