When Pope Leo XIV stepped onto the St. Peter’s Basilica balcony to introduce himself to the world, he gave a short speech — about 500 words. But in that speech, he used the word “peace” nine times. Since then, the theme of peace has been central to his papacy, most recently in his call for prayer and fasting.

Addressing the general audience on Wednesday, Pope Leo marked Aug. 22 as a day of prayer and fasting and invited 1.4 billion Catholics in the world, and all believers, to plead for peace and justice so that God would “wipe away the tears of those who suffer because of ongoing armed conflicts.”

The day is celebrated as the feast of the Queenship of Mary, and Pope Leo called Mary “the Mother of the faithful on earth” — honoring her as the “Queen of Peace.”

“While our world cont

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