Pope calls for fasting for peace

The Vatican asks Catholics to fast and pray on Aug 22 for peace amid ongoing global conflicts.

Pope Leo XIV calls for fasting on Friday to seek peace

Pope Leo XIV announced on Wednesday that he is asking the faithful to abstain from eating on Friday, Aug 22, and to spend the day in fasting and prayer for peace and justice. He spoke during the weekly General Audience in the Paul VI Hall, noting that the liturgical celebration of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary falls on that day. The Vatican's account says the pope urged a collective act of prayer to wipe away the tears of those suffering from armed conflict in many parts of the world, including the Middle East and Ukraine.

The pope frames fasting as a spiritual gesture that complements humanitarian concerns. By invoking Mary as Queen of Peace, he links private devotion with a public plea for peace. Reactions may vary across religious groups and the wider public, and observers will watch how this spiritual appeal translates into concrete actions by church leaders and policymakers.

The move is a traditional form of moral suasion that could resonate beyond Catholic circles. The Vatican tends to favor soft power, using prayer and ritual to shape moral discourse rather than overt political action. This can reduce immediate political friction, but it also risks being seen as symbolic if no tangible steps follow.

If the gesture stimulates interfaith dialogue, it could broaden conversations about peace that cross religious lines. Yet the call also confronts practical questions about how such spiritual appeals connect to humanitarian aid, diplomacy, and public policy. In a world of competing priorities, this remains a test of whether faith-based appeals can translate into concrete outcomes.

Highlights

Faith can move hearts; leaders must translate intent into action.