The Custody of the Holy Land will also take part in the Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace called by Pope Leo XIV for 22 August 2025.

In a letter addressed to all the Franciscan friars, the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, announced the participation of the entire Custody in this initiative, underlining that peace is a gift long awaited and deeply desired, especially in this land marked by conflict and hope.

Following is the full text of the Custos’ letter,

Jerusalem, August 21, 2025
The Lord revealed to me that we should say this greeting: “The Lord give you peace!”
Saint Francis of Assisi, Testament, 23

To all the friars of the Custody of the Holy Land
At their residences

Dear brothers,

May the Lord give you peace.

Yesterday, during the General Audience, Pope Leo invited us all to a day of fasting and prayer for peace:

“Next Friday, 22 August, we will celebrate the memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen. Mary is the Mother of the faithful here on earth and is also invoked as Queen of Peace. While our land continues to be wounded by wars — in the Holy Land, in Ukraine, and in many other regions of the world — I invite all the faithful to live the day of 22 August in fasting and prayer, imploring the Lord to grant us peace and justice, and to dry the tears of those who suffer because of ongoing armed conflicts. May Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede so that peoples may find the path of peace.”
(Pope Leo, General Audience, 20 August 2025)

As friars of the Custody of the Holy Land, we wish to respond wholeheartedly to this appeal. I therefore invite all friars and all fraternities to live 22 August as a day of fasting and prayer for peace.

In our sanctuaries — which remind us of all that Jesus said and did for our reconciliation — let us pray, both personally and in fraternity, for all the victims of every war, whether near or far. Let us pray especially for children, civilians, and hostages, for all families who suffer, for humanitarian and media workers. Let us pray for the conversion of hearts, so that hatred, anger, and fear — which give rise to violence — may be extinguished. Let us pray that the international community may not remain a mere spectator, but take action to promote peace, respect for international law, and the protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and journalists.

May the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Rosary, protect us, and may our holy patrons, Francis and Anthony, intercede with the Most High and obtain the swift end of every conflict.