Pope Declares August 22 Global Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace

As wars rage in Ukraine, the Holy Land, and other conflict zones, Pope Leo XIV has called for a worldwide day of prayer and fasting on Friday, August 22, urging the faithful to unite in seeking peace.

The announcement was made on Wednesday during his General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican News reported. The chosen date coincides with the feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a liturgical celebration that honours Mary as an intercessor and symbol of peace.

“Too many innocent lives are being lost, and too many families are bearing the weight of wars that seem endless. We cannot remain indifferent” Pope Leo said, appealing to Catholics and people of goodwill to participate through fasting, prayer, and acts of charity. He stressed that these spiritual disciplines are not mere rituals but powerful tools capable of inspiring change.

The Pope explained that aligning the day with the Marian feast reflects the Church’s tradition of entrusting global concerns to Mary’s care. “Let us ask Mary, Queen of Peace, to help nations rediscover the path of peace. May she intercede for people torn apart by hatred and violence” he added.

The appeal comes amid worsening humanitarian conditions. Relief agencies have warned of mass displacement, food shortages and civilians increasingly caught in crossfires. Against this backdrop, the Pope’s call is meant as both a spiritual response and a moral awakening.

Leaders from conflict regions welcomed the initiative. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, said: “Prayer is not a magic formula, but it opens hearts where distrust and hatred have grown. It is a step toward rebuilding trust”.

In Ukraine, Bishop Vitalij Skomarovskyj described the call as a gesture of solidarity: “This call reminds us we are not forgotten. Prayer and fasting have great power; they can change the course of history”.

Pope Leo also reflected on the Church’s teaching that peace requires more than justice it must be built on forgiveness. Quoting St. John Paul II, he said “True peace cannot exist without justice, but neither can it survive without forgiveness. Forgiveness is not surrender; it is the strength that prevents new wounds”.

With global debates ongoing over ceasefires, war reparations and transitional justice, the Pope’s message seeks to remind the world that peace is not only a political project but also a spiritual and moral responsibility.