While the East and the West celebrated Easter on the same day during the Jubilee of 2025, this year, the two calendars diverged again. According to the Julian calendar, used in the East, today is Easter.
Pope Leo noted the feast after leading the Regina Caeli in St. Peter's Square on April 12, and he said: "To all those communities I extend my warmest wishes for peace, in communion of faith in the Risen Lord."
He then added that especially for those who are celebrating Easter in the midst of war, he is offering "fervent prayer." In this regard, he mentioned Ukraine, less in the news since February 28, because of the war between the United States and Iran, but still suffering the same.
The promise of an Easter truce made this week by Russian and Ukrainian leaders has not been kept, as Ukrainian authorities have reported several hundred violations along the front line.
Pope Leo said:
I accompany these wishes with fervent prayer for all those suffering because of the war, especially for the dear people of Ukraine. May the light of Christ bring comfort to afflicted hearts and strengthen the hope for peace. May the international community’s attention to the tragedy of this war not waver!
