Pope Leo has called on Catholics worldwide to dedicate Friday as a day of prayer and fasting for peace in Ukraine and the Holy Land, while also preparing for what is expected to be his first trip abroad as pontiff — a visit to Lebanon later this year.
The Vatican announced that the pope’s appeal for prayer is meant to unite the global Church in a time of ongoing violence and instability.
“Prayer and fasting are weapons of peace,” Pope Leo said in remarks urging Catholics to intercede for an end to hostilities.
He emphasized that the suffering of civilians in Ukraine, caught in the middle of Russia’s full-scale invasion, demands both spiritual solidarity and renewed humanitarian efforts.
Since the outbreak of the war in February 2022, the pope has consistently condemned the devastation caused by Russia’s aggression. He has spoken out against indiscriminate attacks on civilians and infrastructure, calling such assaults “barbaric” and “an affront to human dignity.”
He has also lamented the displacement of millions of Ukrainians, especially women and children forced to flee their homes, and has repeatedly called for corridors of peace and negotiations to end the bloodshed.
At the same time, Pope Leo has balanced his criticism of Moscow with appeals for reconciliation, urging leaders not to “close the door to dialogue.”
Earlier this year, he denounced the continued missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, warning that “the path of violence only deepens wounds and leaves generations trapped in hatred.”
Alongside his focus on Ukraine, the pope is turning attention to the Middle East.
Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rai of Lebanon confirmed this week that Pope Leo is preparing to travel to the country, in what would likely mark his first international journey since his election.
The visit would carry symbolic weight for Lebanon, a nation facing deep political paralysis, economic crisis, and sectarian tensions.
Lebanon has historically played a pivotal role in regional Christianity, serving as a home for diverse Catholic and Orthodox communities. A papal visit, analysts say, could boost morale among Christians and encourage efforts at national dialogue.