Pope Leo XIV is urging believers around the globe to dedicate Friday, August 22, 2025, to fasting and prayer, invoking faith as a path toward peace amid two major international conflicts.

According to Breitbart, the pontiff’s appeal coincides with a Catholic feast and comes as world leaders intensify discussions to end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East through high-profile meetings and diplomatic negotiations.

The pope's call to spiritual action was delivered on Wednesday, just days before the Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This religious observance honors Mary’s role as a heavenly advocate, a symbol Pope Leo described as a “Queen of Peace” during his message to the faithful.

Addressing Christians worldwide, he asked them to refrain from meals and commit to prayer on the designated day. He specifically included Ukraine and areas affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict among the top priorities for these prayers.

“I ask you to include in your intentions the supplication for the gift of peace ... especially for Ukraine and the Middle East,” he said, using the moment to connect spiritual discipline with active concern for global conflicts.

Pope’s Advocacy Rooted in Recent Engagements

Elected in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV has maintained a firm emphasis on pacifism and reconciliation during his short time as pontiff. Since taking office, he has been in consistent contact with key leaders connected to the ongoing conflicts.

In July, he welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the Vatican, building on earlier discussions held during a warm phone call in May that Zelensky called “substantive.”

Following that call, the pope also connected with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone in June, offering Vatican assistance in promoting dialogue between the parties. According to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, the pope pressed Moscow to take meaningful steps “that would favor peace.”

Diplomatic Diplomacy Reshaped by High-Level Summits

These religious appeals have unfolded against the backdrop of shifting geopolitical efforts. Just last week, former U.S. President Donald Trump hosted President Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, for a high-profile summit aimed at improving relations and exploring a peaceful resolution in Ukraine.

The summit included an inspection of U.S. military aircraft by Putin and a flyover by an American B-2 stealth bomber, signaling ongoing strength even as diplomacy progressed. The unusual choice of Alaska for the meeting drew global attention.

On Monday, President Trump convened a follow-up summit at the White House, welcoming not only Zelensky but also key European leaders, including U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Talks Continue Amid Lingering Skepticism

Though the U.S. and its allies reportedly agreed on a tentative framework to reduce Russian military activity, specific terms remain unpublished. Trump signaled that the next step could be a direct face-to-face meeting between Zelensky and Putin, possibly under U.S. or Vatican mediation.

However, this prospect has met resistance. On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared that any international conversation about future security guarantees must include Moscow’s input, emphasizing that unilateral directions from Europe are ineffective.

Pope Leo has not advocated for specific policy positions but instead chosen to support reconciliation through prayer, moral leadership, and relationship-building. His comments have focused on spirituality as a long-term response to violence and suffering.

Call for Peace Includes Spiritual Dimensions

In one of his recent addresses, the pope said, “Peace is not a spiritual utopia,” but rather “a humble path made of daily gestures.” He linked the erosion of justice and dialogue globally to the pursuit of material profit, which he described as a modern form of idolatry that undermines harmony.

The head of the Catholic Church also noted that true discipleship requires engagement with the tough issues facing humanity. “To serve the living God," he said, "we must abandon the idolatry of profit,” warning against societies growing indifferent to suffering.

Speaking at a public gathering in Rimini, Italy, on Thursday, the pope again tied nonviolence to inner transformation, warning against forms of faith disconnected from the real trials of the modern world.

Ukraine Welcomes Vatican’s Involvement

Zelensky has voiced appreciation for the pope’s efforts, both spiritual and diplomatic. “We value all the support and every prayer for peace in Ukraine,” he said, expressing interest in a papal visit to demonstrate solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

“Such a visit would bring real hope to all believers and to all our people,” he continued. “We agreed to stay in contact and plan in-person meetings in the near future.”

The Ukrainian leader also left open the possibility of hosting peace negotiations on Vatican grounds, describing them as a neutral and spiritually significant setting for such efforts.

Friday Observance Aims to Unite Believers

By aligning the global day of fasting and prayer with a Marian feast, Pope Leo hopes to inspire wide participation across the global Christian population. The call reprises Catholic tradition, which holds spiritual acts as effective tools in times of crisis.

“I carry in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people,” the pope declared, underscoring his intention to remain involved as a moral voice in these unfolding crises.

Though cautious in tone, Pope Leo expressed cautious optimism earlier this week: “There is hope, but we still need to work hard, pray hard, and truly seek the way forward, to find peace.”