But there are many others: Russia’s war on Ukraine, conflicts in Sudan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Thailand and Cambodia.
There is a growing sense of uncertainty about where our world is heading. Global military expenditure on war rose to $2.7tn (€2.28tn) last year — 2.5pc of global GDP.
One year of war cost the same amount as it would to end global hunger for up to 65 years, based on World Food Programme estimates.
What this reveals about global leadership is stark. Governments are choosing to allocate vast wealth towards conflict, deterrence and strategic advantage, while hundreds of millions remain undernourished.
Leaders speak of security, but define it narrowly: borders, weapons systems, spheres of influence. Yet what greater threat to global stability exists than chronic hunger, poverty and desperation? It can feel as though a drone is valued more than a child without food.
At its core, conflict is often driven by control — of territory, resources and power. Meanwhile, the most basic human need, food, remains unmet.
At Easter, this imbalance feels especially stark. The season calls us to sacrifice, to place others before ourselves, to choose compassion over self-interest.
Nobody suggests that nations can abandon defence or ignore real threats. But the scale of the disparity matters. It is not a question of whether we can solve hunger. It is that we choose not to. And what does that say about global leadership?
Pope Leo did not shy away from this in his Easter message, stating: “Jesus is the King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war.” He added that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them”.
Regrettably, it feels as though conflict is not just confined to distant battlefields. Relationships seem to come under strain more easily. Public discourse becomes harsher. Division and hostility grow.
Easter reminds us that we cannot remain indifferent to the poison of division. When we look at the world through Easter eyes, we recall the first words of the risen Christ: “Peace be with you.” That greeting remains a profound and enduring call.
Peace is not simply an ideal; it is a task. The Easter message tells us that peace is possible, but it requires our participation. That begins with allowing ourselves to be moved — even outraged — by suffering, and to see the world from the perspective of victims.
Wars are not video games. Innocent lives are lost. Families carry trauma that will last for generations.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, recently described the conditions in Gaza, saying: “There is a shortage of medicines and basic antibiotics. People are literally living in the sewers and in tents.” Schools, hospitals, ambulances and homes have been destroyed.
We must raise our voices to leaders, urging them to step back from escalation and recognise the human cost of conflict. We must also pray for the courage and humility needed to turn away from violence.
But peace also begins closer to home. We are invited to reflect honestly: am I a person of peace? Do I contribute to harmony or division?
We cannot build peace alone. It is through our relationships that we become a counterweight to those who sow hatred and violence.
This Easter, even the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is closed. Yet Christians speak of a “liturgy of life” — a daily commitment to hope. Despite conflict and destruction, the resurrection is quietly woven into history. Christ’s victory over death and sin was not simply an ending, but a beginning — a new possibility for humanity.
Pope Francis often reminded us not to remain on the sidelines of hope. We are called to act — to create “pockets of peace” in our daily lives.
History offers encouragement. The early 1980s were marked by fear and tension, yet through sustained peace efforts the decade ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall and unprecedented steps toward disarmament. Ireland’s own peace process stands as a powerful example.
When John Hume accepted the Nobel Peace Prize, he spoke of his simple desire to serve others as the foundation for peace. At a time of global uncertainty, his leadership remains deeply relevant.
The Easter message is the offering of hope, redemption and the promise of eternal life. It signifies God’s profound love, the defeat of darkness and the transforming of suffering. It is a message that responds to the deep longing within our hearts.