Catholics worldwide came together this week in a collective day of prayer and fasting to seek peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land, where ongoing conflicts have caused devastation.

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Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Catholic patriarch of Jerusalem, encouraged Catholics to dedicate time to prayer, including Eucharistic adoration and the recitation of the rosary on Tuesday, October 17. Their intention was to "present to God the Father our longing for peace, justice, and reconciliation." This day of prayer coincided with the feast of St. Ignatius of Antioch, a first-century bishop and martyr from Syria.

Cardinal Pizzaballa emphasized the importance of taking action during these challenging times and not succumbing to feelings of helplessness. He stated, "In this time of sorrow and dismay, we do not want to remain helpless. We cannot let death and its sting (1 Cor 15:55) be the only word we hear."

Additionally, Pope Francis has called for another day of prayer and fasting on Friday, October 27, in the context of the Israel-Hamas conflict. This day of penance and prayer is open to people of various Christian denominations, those of different religions, and all individuals who are passionate about global peace. A prayer vigil is scheduled for 6 p.m. in St. Peter's Basilica, where the faithful will join the Holy Father in an hour of prayer.