Pope calls for fasting and prayer for peace in Middle East and Ukraine

 Pope Leo XIV has called for people to fast on Friday and to pray for peace and justice in the Middle East and Ukraine, issuing a special appeal as he returned to the Vatican from summer vacation.

At the end of his weekly general audience yesterday on wednesday, Leo recalled that Friday is a special feast day dedicated to the Virgin Mary. 

He urged Catholic faithful to spend the day fasting and praying that the Lord grant peace and justice, and dry the tears of all those who are suffering as a result of the armed conflicts underway.

Leo has called for ceasefires in Gaza and Ukraine and for dialogue to achieve peace.

This Wednesday marked Leo’s first day back at the Vatican after a period of vacation at the papal summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.

Meanwhile, going forward, the pope has some important appointments, including special audiences for the Vatican’s 2025 Holy Year and the Sept. 7 canonisation of the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint Carlo Acutis.

At the end of Wednesday’s audience, Leo received a special gift,  A Ping-Pong table decorated with his papal coat of arms.

War in the Middle East:

Israel is now focusing on Gaza City in the latest phase of its offensive in the Palestinian enclave, the Israel Defence Forces' (IDF) Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, said.

"Today, we are approving the plan for the next phase of the war. Israel would "move on to the next phase" of its operations and "continue to enhance strikes against Hamas in Gaza City until its decisive defeat." He said.

On Saturday, Israel said it was preparing to move Palestinians from Gaza City to what it designated as safe zones in the south.

Israel's plans to expand its offensive in Gaza City have been met with international condemnation, including from multiple Western states and even allies.