Pope calls for peace through prayer

The pope calls Catholics worldwide to observe a day of prayer and fasting for peace, linking forgiveness to hopeful action.

Pope Leo XIV invites Church to pray and fast for peace on Aug 22 Queenship of Mary feast day

Pope Leo XIV used his weekly audience to urge Catholics around the world to observe Aug 22, the Queenship of Mary, as a day of prayer and fasting for peace. He cited wars in the Holy Land, Ukraine, and other conflicts and asked the faithful to seek Mary’s intercession for justice and relief for those harmed by fighting.

During the Paul VI Audience Hall gathering, about 6,000 international pilgrims heard the pope emphasize forgiveness as central to Christian life, pointing to Jesus who loved to the end despite betrayal. He described forgiveness as a gift that frees the giver and helps people discover freedom and hope even when pain remains.

The message blends liturgical life with a clear moral stance. By framing peace as something to be pursued through prayer, fasting and forgiveness, the pope links personal virtue to global duty. This approach can mobilize lay participation, but it also relies on spirituality as a driver of action, which may invite skepticism from critics who want policy and concrete measures alongside prayer. The emphasis on forgiveness as a proactive gift suggests a long view of conflict resolution that centers mercy as power rather than weakness.

Highlights

Peace work begins with daily acts of mercy and a shared commitment to hope.