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Pope Leo XIV Declares Friday Global Prayer, Fasting Day For Peace

Pope Leo XIV has declared Friday, August 22, a global day of prayer and fasting for peace, coinciding with the feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Pope made this announcement on Wednesday during his General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, as reported by Vatican News.
The appeal comes as violence continues to escalate in Ukraine, the Holy Land, and other regions facing armed conflict.
Humanitarian organisations have warned of worsening conditions, with growing numbers of displaced people and civilians caught in the crossfire.
READ ALSO:Pope Leo XIV Urges End To Exploitation And Hatred In First Address As Pontiff
Against this backdrop, the Pope’s call is a spiritual response aimed at awakening both consciences and actions.
“Too many innocent lives are being lost, and too many families are bearing the weight of wars that seem endless.
“We cannot remain indifferent,” Pope Leo said.
He urged the faithful to participate through fasting, prayer, and acts of charity, stressing that these spiritual disciplines are not symbolic gestures alone but catalysts for change.
The chosen date, August 22, coincides with the liturgical celebration of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a feast that honours Mary as a figure of intercession and peace.
By aligning the day with this Marian feast, Pope Leo highlighted the Church’s tradition of entrusting global concerns to Mary’s care.
“Let us ask Mary, Queen of Peace, to help nations rediscover the path of peace. May she intercede for people torn apart by hatred and violence,” he added.
Leaders from conflict zones quickly voiced their support.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, said, “Prayer is not a magic formula, but it opens hearts where distrust and hatred have grown. It is a step toward rebuilding trust.”
READ ALSO:Pope Leo XIV Outlines A Path For A Modern Church That Follows Francis’ Steps
In Ukraine, Bishop Vitalij Skomarovskyj welcomed the initiative as a sign of solidarity, saying, “This call reminds us we are not forgotten. Prayer and fasting have great power; they can change the course of history.”
Alongside his call, Pope Leo reflected on the Church’s teaching that peace cannot thrive on justice alone; it also requires forgiveness.
Drawing from St. John Paul II’s legacy, he said, “True peace cannot exist without justice, but neither can it survive without forgiveness. Forgiveness is not surrender; it is the strength that prevents new wounds.”
This message resonates amid current debates over war reparations, ceasefire negotiations, and transitional justice processes in conflict regions.
Headline
U.S. Lawmaker Reacts To Nigeria, U.S. Airstrikes

United States Congressman, Riley Moore, has stated that President Donald Trump is determined to put an end to the killing of Christians in Nigeria, warning that further action may follow if the violence persists.
Moore made the statement on Friday via his official X handle.
According to the lawmaker, the strike represents the first step in addressing what he described as the ongoing slaughter of Christians and the broader security crisis affecting Nigerians across religious and ethnic lines.
READ ALSO:US Dept Of War Shares Video Of Air Strikes In Nigeria
“President Trump has been clear that the killing of Christians in Nigeria must end,” he said.
He that the administration’s resolve on the matter should not be underestimated.
“As I stated at the outset: Do not test President Trump‘s resolved in this matter.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: US Forces Bomb Terrorists Camps In Nigeria
“Tonight’s strike in coordination with the Nigerian government is just the first step to ending the slaughter of Christians and the security crisis affecting all Nigerians,” he said.
He stressed that the operation signals a stronger stance by the United States in support of Nigeria’s efforts to tackle terrorism and violent extremism, noting that further measures could be taken if the situation does not improve.
Headline
US Dept Of War Shares Video Of Air Strikes In Nigeria

A video footage of the US military air strikes in Nigeria has emerged.
The video was released by the US Department of War following its air strikes against terrorists in Sokoto.
Earlier, the US secretary of War, Pete Hegseth had confirmed that military air strikes hit terrorists in Nigerians, saying it was deadly.
Later on, the US. African Command, confirmed that it conducted the attacks described as very deadly by President Donald Trump.
Trump said he was only keeping the promise he made earlier last month to strike the terrorists he believes are killing innocent Christians.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: US Forces Bomb Terrorists Camps In Nigeria
Although described as powerful and deadly, the casualty caused by the attack is yet to be released.
Explaining further, security expert, Brant Philip, said the strikes may have been launched “from the USS Paul Ignatius, using a Tomahawk missile.”
The Nigerian government through its ministry of foreign affairs has also confirmed that the strikes were successful.
Watch video here
Headline
JUST IN: US Forces Bomb Terrorists Camps In Nigeria

United States President Donald Trump said US forces conducted deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in northwestern Nigeria, and vowed more attacks if the militants keep killing Christians.
“I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, adding that “the Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes.”
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Kano Lawmaker, Sarki Aliyu Daneji, Dies Hours After Colleague’s Passing
Trump stated that the Department of War “executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing. Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper.”
The US president wished everyone Merry Christmas, “including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”
Details later.
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