Pope Leo XIV urges fasting and prayer for Ukraine and Gaza peace

Pope Leo XIV urged Catholics and people of goodwill to fast and pray for peace and justice in the Middle East and Ukraine, signaling a renewed emphasis on prayer-led diplomacy as global leaders consider steps toward ending two enduring conflicts. In a brief appearance after returning from the papal summer retreat, the pope called on the faithful to spend Friday devoted to the Virgin Mary in fasting and intercession, saying the Lord should grant peace and justice and wipe away the tears of those suffering from ongoing armed violence. The message reinforced his longstanding appeal for ceasefires and dialogue as the path to lasting resolution.

The pope’s public appeal coincides with a period of high-stakes diplomacy surrounding Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, was preparing to travel to Washington for a meeting with President Donald Trump, with European leaders accompanying him. Reports from recent high-level exchanges indicate that some elements of a peace framework may already have been identified, including security guarantees for Ukraine. Observers noted that any intermediate compromise would still require durable diplomatic engagement among all...