Lenten campaign 2026
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As is customary, after leading the midday Sunday Angelus, Pope Leo offered encouragement and reflections on various situations around the globe. He noted that in the Church we are celebrating Word of God Sunday and also the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, which concludes the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
He urged everyone to work harder for an end of the war in Ukraine, and spoke about the need to be peacemakers in every situation in which we find ourselves.
Here is what he said:
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This Sunday, the third Sunday in Ordinary Time, is the Sunday of the Word of God. Pope Francis instituted it seven years ago to promote throughout the Church knowledge of Sacred Scripture and greater attention to the Word of God in the Liturgy and in the life of communities. I thank and encourage all those who are committed with faith and love to this priority.
Even in these days, Ukraine is being hit by continuous attacks, leaving entire populations exposed to the cold of winter. I am following the situation with sorrow, and I am close to and pray for those who suffer. The continuation of hostilities, with increasingly serious consequences for civilians, widens the rift between peoples and pushes further back the opportunity for a just and lasting peace. I invite everyone to intensify their efforts to end this war.
Today is World Leprosy Day. I express my closeness to all those affected by this disease. I offer a word of support to the Italian Association of Friends of Raoul Follereau and all those who care for leprosy patients, especially their commitment to protecting the dignity of patients.
I welcome all of you, faithful of Rome and pilgrims from various countries! In particular, I greet the parish choir of Rakovski, Bulgaria, the group of Quinceañeras from Panamá, the students of the Zurbarán Institute in Badajoz, Spain; as well as the confirmands from the parish of San Marco Vecchio in Florence, the school community of the Erodoto Comprehensive Institute in Corigliano-Rossano, and the Cuori Aperti Volunteer Association in Lecce.
I warmly greet the young people of Catholic Action of Rome, together with their parents, educators and priests, who have organized the Caravan for Peace. Dear children and young people, I thank you because you help us adults to look at the world from another perspective: that of cooperation between people and among diverse peoples. Thank you! Be peacemakers at home, at school, in sports, everywhere. Never be violent, neither with words nor with gestures. Never! Evil can only be overcome with good.
Together with these young people, let us pray for peace: in Ukraine, in the Middle East, and in every region where, unfortunately, there is fighting going on for interests that are not those of the people. Peace is built on respect for peoples!
Today concludes the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. In the afternoon, as is tradition, I will celebrate Vespers in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls together with representatives of other Christian denominations. I thank all those who will participate, including through the media, and I wish everyone a happy Sunday.
