Religious leaders across England and in Rome issued calls for an end to global conflicts during their Easter sermons, with several prominent figures delivering their first major addresses in new roles. The appeals, made on April 6, urged for peace, dialogue, and a cessation of violence, particularly highlighting the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

In Rome, Pope Leo led his inaugural Easter Mass, addressing the faithful from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. He implored world leaders to "abandon every desire for conflict, domination and power," and urged Christians to pray for peace in a world "ravaged by wars and marked by a hatred and indifference that make us feel powerless in the face of evil." The Pope also referenced a past warning from his predecessor, Pope Francis, regarding the widespread "thirst for death, for killing" witnessed daily. He condemned a growing indifference to the deaths of thousands and the broader societal repercussions of conflicts, advocating for peace achieved through dialogue rather than force. Earlier, on Palm Sunday, Pope Leo had explicitly stated that Jesus "rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war," pushing back against suggestions that religious faith supports military actions.

In England, The Most Rev. Dame Sarah Mullally delivered her first Easter sermon as the Church of England's first female archbishop from Canterbury Cathedral. She highlighted the impact of "violence, division and insecurity" on billions globally, noting that many feel "heart in pieces." Archbishop Mullally specifically prayed for and called with "renewed urgency for an end to the violence and destruction in the Middle East and the Gulf." Her sermon centered on the theme of darkness being illuminated by the Christian resurrection narrative, offering solace to those experiencing personal crises such as illness, bereavement, or unemployment.

The Most Rev. Richard Moth, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, also delivered his first Easter Mass at Westminster Cathedral. He described humanity as "marked, scarred, by warfare and injustice, often instigated by greed and misguided power, bringing harm and death to so many and so often the most vulnerable." Echoing similar sentiments, the Archbishop of York, The Most Rev. Stephen Cottrell, spoke at York Minster. He directed his remarks towards world leaders, stating, "We thirst for peace between the warring nations of the world and on this Easter morning cry out for an end to the literally pointless conflict consuming the Middle East at the moment." Archbishop Cottrell further called for justice in a world where "norms of international law are eroded and ignored, where basic human rights are denied."

The simultaneous appeals from these influential religious figures underscore a shared concern for global peace and the suffering caused by ongoing conflicts, particularly as new leaders assume their ecclesiastical duties.