At the close of his weekly general audience in Rome, Pope Leo XIV appealed to Catholics worldwide to unite in fasting and prayer for peace this Friday, August 22, the liturgical feast of the Queenship of Mary. Addressing pilgrims, he reminded the faithful that Mary is invoked not only as Queen, but also as Queen of Peace.

The Pope made his call in light of ongoing wars in the Holy Land, Ukraine, and elsewhere, lamenting that humanity remains “wounded by conflict.” He urged the Church to dedicate the day to asking God for justice, reconciliation, and comfort for all victims of violence. “We ask Mary, Queen of Peace, to intercede for peoples so that they may discover the path of reconciliation,” he said.

This appeal follows his recent reflections in Castel Gandolfo, where he spoke candidly about the war in Ukraine, stressing that lasting peace requires perseverance in diplomacy as well as constancy in prayer.

Leo XIV’s initiative stands within a long papal tradition. His predecessor, Pope Francis, frequently called for global fasting and prayer in response to wars and humanitarian crises, including Syria in 2013, Ukraine, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and most recently the Israel–Hamas conflict in October 2024.

By linking the new call to the feast of Mary’s Queenship, Pope Leo XIV highlights the Church’s conviction that its strongest response to violence is spiritual: prayer, fasting, and entrusting the world to the intercession of the Mother of God