The newly elected head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, has called on Christians across the world to dedicate Friday, August 22, to prayer, fasting, and acts of charity as a plea for peace in war-torn regions.
According to the AFP, speaking at his General Audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, the Pope—born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States—urged the faithful not to remain silent in the face of rising violence in Ukraine, the Holy Land, and other conflict zones.
“Too many innocent lives are being lost, and too many families are bearing the weight of wars that seem endless. We cannot remain indifferent,” Pope Leo XIV declared.
The date coincides with the liturgical feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a day that honours Mary as an intercessor and symbol of peace. The Pope explained that aligning the call to prayer with the Marian feast was intentional: “Let us ask Mary, Queen of Peace, to help nations rediscover the path of peace. May she intercede for people torn apart by hatred and violence.”
Humanitarian groups have warned that armed conflicts continue to deepen humanitarian crises, leaving millions displaced and vulnerable. Against this backdrop, Pope Leo said spiritual discipline should go beyond symbolism. “Fasting, prayer, and charity are not just gestures; they are catalysts for change,” he said.
Church leaders in conflict-hit regions welcomed the papal initiative. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, said, “Prayer is not a magic formula, but it opens hearts where distrust and hatred have grown. It is a step toward rebuilding trust.”
Similarly, in Ukraine, Bishop Vitalij Skomarovskyj described the Pope’s appeal as an act of solidarity: “This call reminds us we are not forgotten. Prayer and fasting have great power; they can change the course of history.”
The Pope also reflected on the Church’s long-held teaching that peace rests on both justice and forgiveness. Quoting the legacy of St. John Paul II, he added: “True peace cannot exist without justice, but neither can it survive without forgiveness. Forgiveness is not surrender; it is the strength that prevents new wounds.”
The Vatican has said the worldwide observance is meant to awaken consciences and encourage both leaders and citizens to commit to reconciliation.
