Pope Leo XIV has called for a worldwide day of prayer and fasting for peace on Friday, August 22, urging Catholics and people of goodwill to join in spiritual solidarity as conflicts escalate across Ukraine, the Holy Land, and other war-torn regions.
The announcement came Wednesday during the Pope’s General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, according to Vatican News. The date coincides with the feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a liturgical celebration honoring Mary as a symbol of intercession and peace.
“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 said. He encouraged the faithful to participate through fasting, prayer, and acts of charity — practices he described as not merely symbolic but capable of driving meaningful change.
Call for Peace Amid Global Crises
The Pope’s appeal comes against a backdrop of mounting humanitarian crises. Aid groups have warned of worsening conditions, with millions displaced and civilians caught in the crossfire of ongoing conflicts.
By aligning the global day of prayer with the Marian feast, Pope Leo emphasized the Church’s tradition of entrusting global concerns to Mary’s intercession.
“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,” he added.
Support from Conflict Zones
Religious leaders across conflict regions welcomed the announcement.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, noted: “Prayer is not a magic formula, but it opens hearts where distrust and hatred have grown. It is a step toward rebuilding trust.”
In Ukraine, Bishop Vitalij Skomarovskyj described the papal initiative as a powerful gesture of solidarity. “This call reminds us we are not forgotten. Prayer and fasting have great power; they can change the course of history.”
Forgiveness as the Path to Lasting Peace
In his remarks, Pope Leo also reflected on the Catholic Church’s teaching that peace cannot be sustained by justice alone. Drawing from the legacy of St. John Paul II, he said:
“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 message resonates as global leaders grapple with questions of war reparations, ceasefire negotiations, and transitional justice.
As Pope Leo XIV leads the Catholic Church into this historic call for peace, the day of prayer and fasting on August 22 is expected to mobilize millions worldwide in a collective plea for reconciliation, forgiveness, and the end of war.