The Catholic Pontiff, Pope Leo has called for global communication that promotes hope, peace and eschew of hate speech as Christian faithful commenced Lent worldwide.
Pope Leo stated this in his 2026 message as Christian faithful across the world commenced the Lenten season with Ash Wednesday, while Muslims globally also began the holy month of Ramadan on the same day, marking a rare spiritual convergence between the two major faiths.
In his 2026 Lenten reflection, Pope Leo XIV urged the faithful to avoid harsh speech, rash judgment, and slander, teaching that words have the power either to wound or to heal.
He encouraged Christians to let their conversations be guided by kindness, patience, and truth, so that language filled with anger or hatred can give way to words of hope, reconciliation, and peace.
He stressed that controlling one’s speech is a form of spiritual discipline during Lent, reminding believers that genuine faith is shown not only in prayer and fasting, but also in how we speak about and treat one another every day.
Here in Nigeria, the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Most Rev. Dr Ignatius Kaigama, urged Christians and Muslims to harness their shared values as Lent and Ramadan Begin.
According to him, such values are essential in addressing societal challenges including corruption, insecurity, and banditry.
“It will interest you to know that even the Muslims have started their Ramadan so there is unity of purpose. I call not only on Catholics and Christians but all Nigerians to repent so that we can overcome challenges.
Nobody can say he or she is happy with what is happening, killing in Kwara, in Taraba, in Plateau, in Zamfara states, everywhere. It doesn’t matter whether they are Christians or Muslims. The fact is that Nigerians are being killed.
“So we are begging God during this period of Lent and the Ramadan Fast for a change of heart, that people will tell God we are sorry and let them repent and stop these evil acts. Let us enjoy the life and the great country God has given us.”
Archbishop Kaigama, while speaking on the significance of the dual observance, described the development as a moment of happiness, unity of purpose and action, noting that both seasons emphasise the need for prayers, sacrifice, and moral renewal.
He also encouraged adherents of both faiths to use the sacred periods as opportunities for reflection, compassion, and commitment to the common good of the nation.
The Archbishop who described the simultaneous commencement of the Lenten season and the Islamic month of Ramadan as a convergence of spiritual values between Christianity and Islam called on both Christians and Muslims to translate the shared religious virtues of prayer, sacrifice, and compassion into practical service to humanity.
“So we are begging God during this period of Lent and the Ramadan Fast for a transformation of heart, Let us enjoy the life and the country that God has given us, what we are doing displeases God a lot, so I’m calling not only on Christians alone during the Lenten season but the entire Nigerians. Let’s avoid evil, stop doing wicked things to one another and let’s live in love, peace and happiness,” he said.
With the twin observance presenting a unique opportunity for interfaith reflection and cooperation, the Archbishop emphasized that adherents of both faiths can significantly contribute to national unity, peace, and social transformation.