Pope Leo XIV has called on Catholics and people of all faiths to observe a day of fasting and prayer on Friday, Aug. 22, for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine and other regions torn by conflict.
“As our Earth continues to be wounded by wars in the Holy Land, in Ukraine, and in many other regions … I invite all the faithful to live the day of August 22 in fasting and prayer,” the pontiff said during his weekly audience at the Vatican on Wednesday.
The pope urged the faithful to ask God to “grant us peace and justice and to wipe away the tears of those who suffer because of the ongoing armed conflicts.”
Leo, the first U.S. pope, was elected on May 8 following the death of Pope Francis. Since then, he has repeatedly appealed for an end to the war in Ukraine. His first phone call as pontiff was to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, whom he later met in person in July.
The Catholic Church observes fasting on special occasions as a spiritual practice of prayer and reflection. Pope Francis had previously declared a global day of fasting and prayer last October, marking one year since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
REUTERS/S.S