Pope Leo XIV has called for global fasting and prayer on August 22, urging Christians to plead for peace in war-torn regions. His appeal coincides with diplomatic efforts led by President Donald Trump, who hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in separate meetings aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine.
The pope issued the call during his Wednesday General Audience, designating the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a day of prayer. He specifically referenced the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, urging believers to seek peace through spiritual commitment.
Pope Leo declared, “I ask you to include in your intentions the supplication for the gift of peace – a peace that is disarmed and disarming – for the whole world, especially for Ukraine and the Middle East.” He later reiterated these themes during a speech at the annual Meeting for Friendship Among Peoples in Rimini, Italy.
While Pope Leo has consistently avoided political commentary, he has remained deeply engaged diplomatically. Since his election in May, the pontiff has spoken with both Putin and Zelensky, encouraging peace talks and even offering Vatican mediation. In June, he made a direct appeal to Putin during a phone call, urging Russia to take steps toward peace. He previously held a similar discussion with Zelensky, who has invited the pope to visit Ukraine.
These spiritual appeals parallel intensified diplomatic action. President Trump met with Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, last week. The meeting, held against the backdrop of U.S. military displays including a B-2 Spirit flyover, was described by both parties as productive. Following the summit, Trump welcomed Zelensky and key European leaders to the White House to discuss potential peace frameworks.
Leaders present included British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and French President Emmanuel Macron. While no official framework has been released, Trump stated the next step would be to bring Putin and Zelensky together for direct talks, potentially in a trilateral summit including Trump.
On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov signaled caution, asserting that Moscow would not accept any European-led security agreement that excluded Russian input. He emphasized that efforts to define security guarantees without Russia were a “road to nowhere.”
Despite this, President Trump’s engagement with both leaders has added momentum to the peace process, with increased international coordination now underway. Meanwhile, Pope Leo continues to emphasize prayer as a vital component of any solution.
