Pope urges fasting and prayer for peace in Middle East and Ukraine as he returns to Vatican World Aug 20, 2025 4:17 PM EDT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV asked people to fast on Friday to pray for peace and justice in the Middle East and Ukraine, issuing a special appeal as he returned to the Vatican from summer vacation.

At the end of his weekly general audience Wednesday, Leo recalled that Friday is a special feast day dedicated to the Virgin Mary. He urged Catholic faithful to spend the day fasting and “praying that the Lord grants peace and justice, and dries the tears of all those who are suffering as a result of the armed conflicts underway.”

READ MORE: Pope Leo XIV prays for peace as U.S.-Russia summit over Ukraine war gets underway

Leo has called for ceasefires in Gaza an

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