Pope appeals for peace in Ukraine during the Feast of the Assumption

Prayer for Ukraine

"Mary is the Mother of the faithful here on earth and is remembered as the Queen of Peace. Our land continues to suffer from wars in the Holy Land, in Ukraine, and in many other regions of the world. I invite all the faithful to take part in a day of fasting and prayer on August 22, imploring the Lord to grant us peace and justice, and to wipe away the tears of those who suffer because of ongoing armed conflicts," the Pope said.

He also addressed Polish pilgrims in Rome and those currently visiting the Marian shrine at Jasna Góra in Częstochowa, calling on them to include prayers for peace in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the entire world.

"May Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede so that peoples may find the path of peace," the Holy Father wished.

Pope Leo XIV’s stance on Ukraine

Leo XIV became Pope on May 8, 2025. During one of his first Masses, he mentioned Ukraine and noted that the country is awaiting peace negotiations. In May, the pontiff accused Russia of imperialism and called for the laying down of arms. He does not explicitly name Russia as the aggressor, instead emphasizing the call for peace.

Two weeks after his election, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with him and later stated that the Vatican is ready to serve as a venue for direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to achieve peace.

At the end of June, the Pope addressed Ukrainians in Ukrainian, posting a message on Twitter. In it, he expressed support for the people, especially the families of those who had died.

Earlier, we reported that at the beginning of summer, Pope Leo XIV called Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, urging him to promote peace with Ukraine.