Pope Leo XIV calls for fasting and prayer for peace on Friday, Aug. 22

General

Pope Leo XIV calls for fasting and prayer for peace on Friday, Aug. 22

Pope Leo XIV has called for a day of fasting and prayer for peace on Friday, Aug. 22, coinciding with the liturgical feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

EWTN
via EWTN
22.08.25

Pope Leo XIV has called for a day of fasting and prayer for peace on Friday, Aug. 22, coinciding with the liturgical feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Holy Father made the announcement Aug. 20 during his greeting to Italian-speaking pilgrims at the conclusion of the catechesis for the general audience, recalling that Our Lady, in addition to being queen, is “also invoked as Queen of Peace.”

“While our earth continues to be wounded by wars in the Holy Land, in Ukraine, and in many other regions of the world, I invite all the faithful to devote the day of Aug. 22 to fasting and prayer, imploring the Lord to grant us peace and justice and to dry the tears of those who suffer as a result of the ongoing armed conflicts,” the pontiff said.

“Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede so that peoples may find the path to peace,” he prayed.

On Tuesday evening at Castel Gandolfo, Leo XIV expressed his hope for a solution to the crisis of the war in Ukraine but emphasized the need to continue to “work hard, pray hard” for peace.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

EWTN

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

‘No more bloodshed,’ Pope Francis begs South Sudan’s leaders

On the first day of his peace pilgrimage, Pope Francis begged the leaders of South Sudan to work

Pope Francis’ Message To Artists: Be Witnesses To ‘Revolutionary Vision Of The Beatitudes’

Powerful proclamations to painters, poets, and performers highlighted Pope Francis’ message to artists on Sunday, calling them to participate in the “revolutionary vision of the Beatitudes” and transform suffering into hope.

Pope Francis calls for ‘paradigm shift’ in theology for world of today

Pope Francis has called for a “paradigm shift” in Catholic theology that takes widespread engagement with contemporary science, culture, and people’s lived experience as an essential starting point.

1700 Years Later: The Council of Nicaea and the Creed That United the Church

Discover with EWTN: The Council of Nicaea took place here exactly 1700 years ago. It was also the birthplace of the Nicene Creed.

Pope Francis to World Economic Forum: AI Must Serve Human Dignity, Not Violate it

Pope Francis on Thursday released his message to global leaders attending the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, this week, telling attendees that artificial intelligence (AI) must ultimately serve humanity and the common good.

Pope Francis says conservative critics have a ‘suicidal attitude’

In a "60 Minutes" interview airing this Sunday, Pope Francis critiques his "conservative critics" in the U.S., labeling their stance as "suicidal" for clinging to the past without openness.

Newsletter

Donate now