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Pope Leo laments a world 'in flames' at Ash Wednesday service
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 18, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 18, 2026
Quick Summary
On Feb. 18 at Santa Sabina in Rome, Pope Leo XIV began Lent with an Ash Wednesday homily lamenting a world “in flames” from war and ecological harm, urging fasting, charity and reflection without citing specific conflicts.
Pope Leo laments a world 'in flames' at Ash Wednesday service
By Joshua McElwee
VATICAN CITY, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Pope Leo lamented a world "in flames" due to wars and the destruction of the environment during an Ash Wednesday Mass, opening the season of Lent for the world's Christians.
Before sprinkling ashes on the heads of participants, a sign of mortality, the pope said the ashes could represent "the weight of a world that is ablaze, of entire cities destroyed by war".
He also told participants the ashes could signify "the ashes of international law and justice among peoples, (and) the ashes of entire ecosystems".
"It is so easy to feel powerless in the face of a world that is in flames," said Leo, the first U.S. pope.
Lent is a 40-day period of penance that leads to Easter, the most important Christian holiday, which celebrates the day on which believers say Jesus rose from the dead.
It represents the 40 days Jesus is said in the Bible to have spent fasting in the desert. During the season, Catholics are asked to fast, remember the needy and reflect on mortality.
Leo, elected leader of the 1.4-billion-member Church in May to replace the late Pope Francis, did not mention a specific conflict in his remarks.
The pope has forcefully decried the world's ongoing wars in his first year and denounced what he called a global "zeal for war" in a major foreign policy speech last month.
He spoke on Wednesday at a service held in the Basilica of Santa Sabina on Rome's Aventine Hill, preceded by prayers in a nearby church and a procession of cardinals and bishops.
(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Jon Boyle)
Key Takeaways
- •Pope Leo XIV opened Lent with an Ash Wednesday homily lamenting wars and environmental destruction.
- •He urged fasting, charity and reflection on mortality during the 40 days of Lent.
- •The pope avoided naming specific conflicts, invoking a broader crisis of international law and justice.
- •Leo is the first U.S. pope, elected in May 2025 following the death of Pope Francis.
- •The liturgy took place at the Basilica of Santa Sabina on Rome’s Aventine Hill after a traditional procession.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pope Leo laments a world 'in flames' at Ash Wednesday service
1What is Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday is a Christian holy day that begins Lent. Worshippers receive ashes as a reminder of human mortality and a call to repentance. Services commonly include prayer, readings, and the imposition or sprinkling of ashes as a sign of penance.
2What is Lent?
Lent is a roughly 40‑day season of prayer, fasting, and charitable action leading to Easter. It invites self‑reflection and moderation, encouraging practices like giving to the needy, simplifying habits, and focusing on spiritual renewal ahead of Easter celebrations.
3What is fasting in Lent?
Fasting during Lent generally means limiting meals and practicing self‑denial as an act of discipline and solidarity with the poor. Many Christians also abstain from meat on certain days, pairing dietary restraint with prayer and works of charity.
4What is Easter?
Easter is the principal Christian feast celebrating the belief in Jesus Christ’s resurrection. It concludes the Lenten season and is preceded by Holy Week observances. For many Christians, it represents hope, renewal, and the culmination of Lenten preparation.
5What is international law?
International law is the body of rules and principles that governs relations among states and international organizations. It addresses areas such as human rights, conflict, treaties, and environmental protection, aiming to promote order, cooperation, and justice globally.
