Pope Leo XIV has invited the Church to dedicate the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary to prayer and fasting for peace across the world.
Following his catechesis on Wednesday, Pope Leo urged Catholics to ask the Mother of God and Queen of Peace to intercede for those suffering amid war and violence.
“As our world continues to be wounded by wars in the Holy Land, in Ukraine, and in other parts of the world, I invite all the faithful to live the day of August 22 as a day of prayer and fasting, imploring the Lord to grant us peace and justice, and to wipe away the tears of those who suffer because of ongoing armed conflicts,” he said.
“May Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede so that peoples may find the path of peace.”
Pope Leo's invitation comes just days after a meeting in the White House between US President Donald Trump, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders.
The talks were viewed as positive and hopes for a pause to fighting or peaceful end to the conflict have risen.
The traditional view of fasting says Catholics may eat only one full meal during the day. Additionally, they may have two smaller meals, known as "collations".
Church requirements on fasting only relate to solid food, not to drink.