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Pope laments ‘ashes of international law’ left by today’s conflicts in Ash Wednesday liturgy

  • On February 18, 2026, Pope Leo XIV presided at the Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome, opening Ash Wednesday by saying ashes could represent a world ablaze and cities destroyed by war.
  • Lent is a 40-day season of penance that leads to Easter and recalls Jesus' fast in the desert, during which Catholics are asked to fast, remember the needy and reflect.
  • Walking in a penitential procession, Pope Leo moved from St. Anselm Church to the Basilica of Santa Sabina, accompanied by dozens of monks, priests, bishops and cardinals, and sprinkled ashes on cardinals during Mass.
  • The pope's message follows a major foreign policy speech last month, with the Holy See not joining the U.S. Board of Peace for Gaza, and Parolin calling for UN monitoring.
  • The pope highlighted the ashes of international law, ecosystems, and ancient wisdom on Ash Wednesday, emphasizing accountability and renewal for the global community.
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68 Articles

catholicworldreport.comcatholicworldreport.com
Right

Pope Leo: Lenten ashes carry ‘the weight of a world that is ablaze’

Leading Ash Wednesday rites, the pontiff linked the call to repentance with the devastation of war, broken justice, wounded creation, and a fading sense of the sacred. Pope Leo XIV led the traditional Ash Wednesday [...]

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PBS NewsHourPBS NewsHour
Lean Left

War is reducing international law to 'ashes,' Pope Leo laments in Ash Wednesday liturgy

In his homily, Leo offered a meditation on sin and said the ashes that Christians receive bear the "weight of a world that is ablaze, of entire cities destroyed by war.”

·Washington, United States
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europapress.eseuropapress.es
Center

Pope Leo Xiv Warns on Ash Wednesday of "a World that...

Pope Leo XIV pointed out this Wednesday, at Mass in the Basilica of Saint Sabina in Rome for the...

·Spain
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CatholicVote orgCatholicVote org
Right

Pope Leo at Ash Wednesday Mass: We must take responsibility for sins and convert

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass at the Basilica of Santa Sabina, the mother church of the Dominican order, where he preached in the homily… The post Pope Leo at Ash Wednesday Mass: We must take responsibility for sins and convert appeared first on CatholicVote org.

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Our Sunday VisitorOur Sunday Visitor
Lean Right

Pope Leo XIV calls for ‘countercultural’ repentance on first Ash Wednesday of his pontificate

"During Lent, a people is formed that recognizes its sins. ... We need to respond by courageously accepting responsibility for them," the pope said.

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South China Morning PostSouth China Morning Post
Center

Pope Leo laments world ‘in flames’ at Ash Wednesday service

The pontiff said the ashes could represent cities destroyed by war, as well as the damage to the environment and international law.

·Hong Kong
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georgiabulletin.org broke the news in on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
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