A Call to Peace: Pope Leo XIV’s Invitation to Prayer and Fasting on August 22, 2025

A Call to Peace: Pope Leo XIV’s Invitation to Prayer and Fasting on August 22, 2025

As the world grapples with the shadows of ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Holy Land, and beyond, Pope Leo XIV has issued a heartfelt call to action. On August 20, 2025, the American-born pontiff, through his official X account (@Pontifex), invited the faithful to unite in a day of fasting and prayer on August 22, 2025. In his post (https://x.com/Pontifex/status/1958152037214093527), he wrote:  

"I invite all the faithful to take part in a day of fasting and prayer on August 22, imploring the Lord to grant us peace and justice, and to wipe away the tears of those who suffer because of ongoing armed conflicts. May Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede so that peoples may find the path of peace."

This call comes at a critical time, aligning with the Feast of the Queenship of Mary, a day when Catholics honor the Blessed Virgin as the Queen of Heaven and Earth. Pope Leo’s message is a powerful reminder of the role spiritual practices can play in fostering peace, urging not just Catholics but people of all faiths to join in this collective plea for mercy and reconciliation.

 The Urgency of Peace

The pontiff’s words resonate deeply as wars continue to scar our world. From the ravaged landscapes of Ukraine to the ancient battlegrounds of the Holy Land, the cries of the suffering echo globally. Pope Leo, the first U.S. pope, has consistently advocated for peace since his election in May 2025, making this day of fasting and prayer a continuation of his mission. By invoking Mary, Queen of Peace, he taps into a rich tradition of Marian devotion, encouraging believers to seek her intercession alongside their direct prayers to God.

 How to Participate

Participating in this day of fasting and prayer doesn’t require grand gestures—it’s about intentional, heartfelt action. Here are some practical ways to join Pope Leo’s initiative:

1. Fasting with Intention: Fasting can be tailored to your health and circumstances. For some, this might mean abstaining from food for a set period (e.g., from midnight to 6 PM, as is common in Catholic tradition). Others might choose to fast from a particular meal or give up a favorite indulgence (like coffee or social media) as an act of sacrifice. The key is to offer this sacrifice as a prayer for peace, uniting with those who suffer from hunger and violence.

2. Personal Prayer: Set aside time to pray quietly, asking God to bring peace to conflict zones. You might use traditional prayers like the Our Father or create your own, focusing on specific regions like Ukraine or the Holy Land. Reflect on Pope Leo’s words about wiping away tears, imagining the faces of those affected by war.

3. Praying the Rosary for Peace: One powerful way to respond to this call is by praying the Rosary, a devotion deeply tied to peace through Marian apparitions. Notably, the Blessed Virgin Mary, appearing as Our Lady of the Universe in the Bronx in 1945 to Joseph Vitolo Jr., emphasized the Rosary’s role in bringing peace. According to the website www.ourladyoftheuniverse.com, Mary urged the faithful to pray the Rosary daily to end war and foster global harmony. On August 22, consider meditating on the Sorrowful Mysteries, which reflect Christ’s suffering, and offer each decade for those in conflict zones. A well-prayed Rosary, as noted by Fr. Donald Calloway, takes about 20 minutes and can be a profound act of spiritual mercy.

4. Community Action: Gather with family, friends, or a local church group to pray and fast together. Share Pope Leo’s message and encourage others to participate, creating a ripple effect of peace. You could host a virtual prayer session via Zoom or attend a Mass where this intention is lifted up.

5. Acts of Charity: Complement your fasting and prayer with tangible acts of mercy. Donate to organizations aiding war refugees, write letters of support to affected communities, or volunteer locally to embody the “disarmed and disarming peace” Pope Leo has championed.

 The Role of Mary, Queen of Peace

Pope Leo’s invocation of Mary as the Queen of Peace draws on centuries of Catholic tradition, where she is seen as a motherly intercessor. The apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in 1917 similarly called for the Rosary’s daily recitation to end World War I and secure world peace, a message echoed by Our Lady of the Universe in 1945. By praying the Rosary on August 22, we align with this legacy, trusting that Mary’s maternal care can guide humanity toward reconciliation.

 A Global Movement

This day of fasting and prayer is not just for Catholics—it’s an open invitation to all who yearn for peace. As Pope Leo emphasized during his general audience on August 20, 2025, the goal is a “disarmed and disarming peace” that rejects the allure of weapons and fosters unity. Whether through silent prayer, a shared Rosary, or a simple act of kindness, each effort contributes to this global movement.

As we approach August 22, let us heed Pope Leo XIV’s call with open hearts. In the spirit of Our Lady of the Universe, let the Rosary be our weapon of peace, lifting our voices to heaven for a world healed by justice and love. Will you join this sacred endeavor? The time is now.

 

I invite all the faithful to take part in a day of fasting and prayer on August 22, imploring the Lord to grant us peace and justice, and to wipe away the tears of those who suffer because of ongoing armed conflicts. May Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede so that peoples may find…

— Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) August 20, 2025

Pope Says 'To Eat Whatever For Lent'

In a surprising announcement, Pope Francis has given Catholics permission to eat whatever they want for Lent, the 40-day period of fasting and penance that precedes Easter. The Pope said that he wanted to show mercy and compassion to those who are struggling with the pandemic and its effects on their lives.

According to Vatican News, the Pope made the statement during his weekly general audience on Wednesday, February 14 . He said that Lent is a time of conversion and renewal, but also of solidarity and sharing. He said that he was aware of the difficulties that many people are facing due to the coronavirus crisis, such as hunger, poverty, unemployment, and isolation. He said that he wanted to offer them a sign of hope and encouragement.

The Pope said that eating whatever one wants for Lent does not mean giving up on the spiritual dimension of the season. He said that it is still important to pray, fast, and give alms in other ways, such as by helping those in need, being kind to others, and forgiving those who have hurt us. He said that eating whatever one wants for Lent is a way of expressing gratitude to God for the gift of life and the abundance of his creation.

The Pope's announcement has been met with mixed reactions from Catholics around the world. Some have welcomed it as a gesture of mercy and understanding, while others have criticized it as a deviation from the traditional teachings of the Church. Some have also questioned whether the Pope has the authority to change the rules of Lent, which are based on the Scriptures and the centuries-old traditions of the Church.

The Church teaches that Lent is a time of preparation for Easter, the celebration of Christ's resurrection from the dead. During Lent, Catholics are supposed to abstain from meat on Fridays and fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting means eating only one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal. Abstinence means refraining from eating meat or any food made from animals, such as cheese, eggs, or milk.

The Church says that these practices help Catholics to detach themselves from worldly pleasures and focus on their relationship with God. They also help them to identify with Christ, who suffered and died for our sins, and with the poor, who often lack food and other necessities. The Church says that fasting and abstinence are not ends in themselves, but means to an end: namely, growing in love for God and neighbor.

The Pope has not issued any official document or decree to formalize his announcement. He has only spoken about it during his general audience, which is not a binding source of authority for the Church . Therefore, it is unclear whether his statement is meant to be taken as a suggestion or a command, and whether it applies to all Catholics or only to those who are in difficult situations.

Some experts have suggested that the Pope's statement should be interpreted in light of his personal style and his pastoral approach. They say that the Pope is not trying to change the doctrine or the discipline of the Church, but rather to emphasize the spirit and the purpose of Lent. They say that the Pope is inviting Catholics to reflect on what Lent means for them personally and how they can live it more authentically and meaningfully.

April is a month away, but here is an early APRIL'S FOOL!  The truth of the matter is that this story is FALSE.  Someone made up a quote and posted it on social media.  He never stated this and would never state this.  This goes to show how social media can be dangerous in regards to spreading false information. It is important that people vet articles and posts carefully and not automatically take things as fact. 

Source:

: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-02/pope-francis-general-audience-lent-coronavirus.html

: https://www.catholic.com/tract/the-lenten-season

: https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year-and-calendar/lent/catholic-information-on-lenten-fast-and-abstinence

: https://www.catholic.com/qa/what-are-the-rules-for-fasting-and-abstinence-in-the-catholic-church

: https://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c2a4.htm

: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2024/02/documents/papa-francesco_20240214_udienza-generale.html

: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2024/02/14/pope-francis-lent-coronavirus-240265

Did Pope Francis Say 'Eat Whatever You Want For Easter'? | Snopes.com

Lent quote attributed to Pope Francis is fabricated | Fact check (usatoday.com)

FACT CHECK: Pope Francis quote on eating 'whatever you want' during Lent is fake (rappler.com)