Pope Leo has urged global leaders in his Easter message to end the conflicts raging across the world and abandon any schemes for power, conquest or domination, Reuters reports.

The pope, who has emerged as an outspoken critic of the Iran war, lamented in a special message to the thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square that people “are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent”.

“Let those who have weapons lay them down!” the first US pope exhorted.

“Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace!” Leo did not mention any specific conflicts in the message, known as the “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) blessing. It was unusually brief and direct.

“On this day of celebration, let us abandon every desire for conflict, domination, and power, and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars,” Leo urged.