In a message shared on his @Pontifex account, the Pope reiterated his invitation to the International Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace, emphasizing the need “To fill the comprehensive vision that is driven by the common good.” This call to action has resonated with numerous councils of bishops and ecclesiastical organizations, highlighting the pervasive impact of over 56 “forgotten” or semi-forgotten conflicts across the globe.

The world is grappling with what is described as being “wounded by persistent wars,” with at least 56 active conflicts, according to data from the “ACLED” (ACLED data project and events project). These range from high-profile crises in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan to lesser-known conflicts involving non-governmental entities, and “frozen” wars that remain unresolved and prone to renewed outbreaks, such as the border disputes between Thailand and Cambodia, or Pakistan and India in Kashmir.

Addressing this reality, the Pope, during his general interview on Wednesday the fourteenth, designated August 22nd, the memorial of Maryam Al-Batoul, the Queen, as a day dedicated to prayer and fasting for peace. In his tweet, he urged, “Let’s get together in order for hearts to be free from hatred, and to get out of the logic of division and revenge, and the comprehensive vision that drives the common good prevails.”

Global Religious Leaders Unite in response

The Pope’s invitation has been met with widespread acceptance from episcopal councils and local churches internationally. The italian Bishop,led by the Cardinal Matteo Zubi,promptly called for “the intensification of prayer for a mere peace of arms.” Similarly, the Bishop of Spain, in a statement referencing Bishop Luis arguilo’s message from August 8th, pledged to join the initiative, emphasizing “the intensification of prayer and the supportive positions of peace.”

“Peace is a gift that is expected and strongly desirable, especially in the Holy Land printed with conflicts and hopes.”

Among the notable responses is that of the Apostolic Prosecution to the southern Arabian Peninsula, including Yemen, a nation embroiled in a “forgotten” civil war for over a decade. The Apostolic Deputy bishop paulo Martinelli stated, “Through fasting and prayer, we seek from the Virgin Mary, the Queen of Peace, to intercede for her son for peace, especially in the nearby Holy Land, and in order to console all the sufferers from this conflict and others.”

The Holy Land Guard, Father Francesco Yelbo, in a letter to the Franciscan monks, affirmed that “peace is a gift that is expected and strongly desirable, especially in the Holy Land printed with conflicts and hopes.” He further appealed, “Let’s reach so that the international group does not suffice to watch, but rather intervene to promote peace, respect for international law, and ensure the safety of civilians, humanitarian workers and journalists.”

The Urgent Need for a Shift in Perspective

While the Pope’s call to action has been widely embraced by churches, the article emphasizes the pressing need for a “change an approach” at the political and diplomatic level. The world is described as being fractured by a “third, fragmented world war,” with global arms expenditures reaching a record $2718 trillion last year.

Europe, as the russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has been confronted with a level of conflict unseen since the Balkan wars.Elsewhere, progress towards a historic peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan offers a glimmer of hope after decades of conflict. In gaza, the aftermath of Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, continues to present an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Tensions remain high in the West Bank, while Lebanon teeters on the brink of further instability, and Syria navigates a critical juncture following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

Africa remains heavily impacted by conflict, with the situation in Sudan, where fighting between the army and rapid support forces has led to a massive displacement crisis, being notably dire. Other areas of concern include the eastern Democratic Congo, northern Mozambique, and countries along the coast facing jihadist violence, and also Ethiopia, Somalia, and Libya.

In Asia, conflicts persist in Myanmar, on the Korean Peninsula, and along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Even Oceania has not been spared, with recurring tribal conflicts in Papua New Guinea. In Latin America, violence and organized crime continue to plague several countries, particularly Haiti.

The article concludes by highlighting the immense suffering endured by civilians affected by these conflicts and reiterating the Pope’s call for a change in perspective, emphasizing that “without forgiveness there will never be peace.” He stated, “The real forgiveness does not await repentance, but rather is given first.And forgiveness does not mean that we deny evil, but rather prevent evil from generating another evil.”