VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV held his first Easter vigil service as pontiff Saturday night at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, urging that the holiday would bring harmony and peace to a world torn by wars.

The pope carried a tall, lit candle through a darkened and silent St. Peter's Basilica, declaring, "The light of Christ who rises in glory." Candle bearers stopped to light congregants' candles as they walked down the central aisle. The lights were turned on as Leo XIV arrived at the baroque main altar, followed by cardinals dressed in white.

In his homily, the pope likened sin to the stone that had covered Jesus' tomb but was found overturned, revealing Jesus' resurrection. He said some sins weigh heavily on the human heart, such as mistrust, fear, selfishness and resentment, while others sever the bonds between people through war, injustice and the isolation of peoples and nations.

"There are stones representing sins to be overturned today, some so heavy and so closely guarded that they seem to be immovable," Leo XIV said. "Let us make a commitment so that the Easter gifts of harmony and peace may grow and flourish everywhere and always throughout the world."

During the Easter vigil Mass, the pope baptized 10 adults from various countries. The service capped a Holy Week in which Leo XIV participated in several traditional observances. On Holy Thursday, he washed the feet of 12 priests in the traditional ritual, restoring the practice of washing priests' feet after his predecessor had included laypeople and non-Christians. During the Way of the Cross on Good Friday, Leo XIV carried the cross for all 14 stations, the first time a pope had done so in decades.

The pope has repeatedly called for a halt in hostilities in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and in Russia's campaign in Ukraine. On Palm Sunday, he said that God does not listen to the prayers of those who make war or cite God to justify their violence.

Leo XIV will celebrate an open-air Mass in St. Peter's Square on Sunday morning, deliver his Easter message and offer the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" blessing to the city of Rome and the world.