Leo, who has emerged as an outspoken critic of the Iran war, said that ​mistrust and fear have been allowed to “sever the bonds between ​us through war, injustice and the isolation of peoples ⁠and nations.”

“Let us not allow ourselves to be paralysed!” the first ​US pope exhorted in a service for the holiest night in ​the Catholic calendar.

Leo did not mention any specific conflicts during the service.

In his homily to thousands in ​Christendom’s largest church, the pope urged Catholics to follow the example of saints who, ‌he ⁠said, struggled for justice so that “Easter gifts of harmony and peace may grow and flourish everywhere.”

Leo, who is known for choosing his words carefully, has been ramping up his criticism of the Iran ​war in recent ​weeks.

The pope ⁠said last Sunday that God rejects the prayers of leaders who start wars and have “hands full of blood”.

He made a direct appeal to US President Donald Trump ​on ⁠Tuesday, urging the president to find an “off-ramp” to end the war.