Pope Leo XIV has designated Friday, August 22, as a worldwide day of prayer and fasting for peace, coinciding with the feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Pope made this announcement on Wednesday during his General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, according to Vatican News. His appeal comes at a time when violence continues to escalate in Ukraine, the Holy Land, and other regions struggling with armed conflict. Humanitarian groups have raised concerns about worsening conditions, pointing to rising displacement and the plight of civilians caught in ongoing hostilities.
Against this backdrop, the Pope described his call as a spiritual response meant to stir consciences and inspire action. “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 declared.
He encouraged Catholics and people of goodwill to join through fasting, prayer, and works of charity, insisting that these practices are not empty rituals but powerful forces for change. The chosen date, August 22, aligns with the feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a liturgical celebration that honours Mary as an intercessor and symbol of peace.
By linking the initiative to this Marian feast, the Pope emphasized the Church’s tradition of entrusting global concerns to Mary’s care. “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.
Religious leaders from conflict regions quickly welcomed the appeal. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, observed: “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 also endorsed the initiative, describing it as a gesture of solidarity. “This call reminds us we are not forgotten. Prayer and fasting have great power; they can change the course of history,” he said.
Alongside his call, Pope Leo reflected on the Church’s longstanding teaching that peace cannot rely solely on justice but must also be built on forgiveness. Quoting from St. John Paul II’s legacy, he stated: “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.”
His message resonates amid ongoing debates about war reparations, ceasefire negotiations, and transitional justice efforts in conflict zones across the globe.
What you should know
Pope Leo XIV’s call for a global day of prayer and fasting on August 22 reflects the Catholic Church’s role in responding to global crises through spiritual and moral action.
By aligning the initiative with the feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Pope emphasizes Mary’s role as a figure of intercession and peace. His message highlights the urgent need for unity, compassion, and forgiveness in the face of escalating wars in Ukraine, the Holy Land, and beyond.
The call underscores that prayer and spiritual discipline can serve as powerful tools for healing and social transformation.
