Archbishop of Canterbury and Pope both give their first Easter messages with same plea

Archbishop of Canterbury and Pope both give their first Easter messages with same pleaArchbishop of Canterbury and Pope both make Easter plea for peace in Middle East.NewsAndy Lines14:01, 05 Apr 2026Updated 14:02, 05 Apr 2026View 6 ImagesThe Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally delivers her Easter sermon(Image: PA)The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Pope both gave their first Easter messages today and both called for peace. Dame Sara Mullally told her congregation at Canterbury Cathedral she was calling for an end to “violence and destruction” in the Middle East.‌Meanwhile the Pope addressed thousands in St Peter’s Square in Rome and told them: “Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace.” It was a powerful double message from the two new religious leaders.‌Dame Sarah said she prayed with renewed urgency" as the US-Israel war against Iran enters its sixth week. She called for all people of the Middle East and the Gulf to "receive the peace, justice and freedom they long for".‌View 6 ImagesPope calls for peace in Easter sermon(Image: Marek Ladzinski/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)READ MORE: Pope Leo XIV bashes Trump's war on Iran as he calls it a 'scandal' to humanityREAD MORE: New Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally HECKLED as she’s confirmedHer Easter sermon comes just short of a fortnight after her installation as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury.She told the congregation: "This week our gaze and our prayers have been turned towards the land where Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead.‌"Today, as we shout with joy that Christ is risen, let us pray and call with renewed urgency for an end to the violence and destruction in the Middle East and the Gulf.View 6 ImagesThe Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally delivers her Easter sermon(Image: PA)"May our Christian sisters and brothers know and celebrate the hope of the empty tomb - and may all people of the region receive...