Pope Leo XIV has called on Catholics and believers of other religions to fast and pray for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine, and other war-torn areas on Friday, August 22nd.
"At a time when 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 spend August 22 in fasting and prayer," Leo said on Wednesday during his weekly audience at the Vatican.
The Pope advised the faithful to ask God to "grant us peace and justice" and to "wipe away the tears of those who suffer because of armed conflicts."
Since being elected as the new head of the Catholic Church on May 8, the first American pope has called several times for an end to the war in Ukraine, and his first known call with a foreign leader was with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he met with in July.
Leo's predecessor, Pope Francis, called for a special day of prayer and fasting last October, on the first anniversary of the war in the Gaza Strip.
Photo: EPA/VATICAN MEDIA HANDOUT
