New Delhi, Aug. 21 -- Pope Leo XIV asked people to fast Friday 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 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 grants peace and justice, and dries 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.

Wednesday marked Leo's first day back at the Vatican after a period of vacation at the papal summer retreat in Castel Gandolf...