Pope Leo XIV has issued a global appeal to Christians to observe Friday, August 22, as a day dedicated to prayer, fasting, and acts of charity, with the intention of seeking peace in regions plagued by violence and war.
During his General Audience at St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, the pontiff—formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States—urged the international Christian community not to remain passive amid ongoing bloodshed in Ukraine, the Holy Land, and other areas affected by conflict.
“Too many innocent lives are being lost, and too many families are bearing the weight of wars that seem endless. We cannot remain indifferent,” the Pope said.
The call to action falls on the liturgical feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a date the Pope said was deliberately chosen.
“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 stated, emphasizing the role of the Virgin Mary as a figure of compassion and reconciliation.
Global humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned that ongoing conflicts are worsening already dire humanitarian conditions, leaving millions displaced and exposed to hardship. Against this backdrop, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that the faithful must view the practices of fasting, prayer, and charity as transformative tools. “Fasting, prayer, and charity are not just gestures; they are catalysts for change,” he noted.
Religious leaders from conflict-affected areas welcomed the Pope’s message. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, said the initiative offered a path toward healing. “Prayer is not a magic formula, but it opens hearts where distrust and hatred have grown. It is a step toward rebuilding trust,” he said.
In Ukraine, Bishop Vitalij Skomarovskyj also expressed support for the papal appeal, viewing it as a meaningful expression of solidarity. “This call reminds us we are not forgotten. Prayer and fasting have great power; they can change the course of history,” the bishop stated.
Reflecting on Church teachings, Pope Leo XIV reiterated that peace is rooted in both justice and forgiveness. Drawing on the words of Pope 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 said the day of global observance aims to awaken moral consciousness and motivate both leaders and ordinary citizens to choose paths of reconciliation and peace.
