In his “Message for Lent 2026,” Pope Leo XIV makes a connection between authentic fasting as a witness to the world, and awareness of and surrender to Divine Communion, such as is cultivated by our contemplative practices. He then calls us to a unique fast born out of this communion:
In order to practice fasting in accordance with its evangelical character… it must be lived in faith and humility. It must be grounded in communion with the Lord, because “those who are unable to nourish themselves with the word of God do not fast properly” (quoting Benedict XVI). As a visible sign of our inner commitment to turn away from sin and evil with the help of grace, fasting must also include other forms of self-denial aimed at helping us to acquire a more sober lifestyle…
In this regard, I would like to invite you to a very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbor. Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgement, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves. Instead, let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates, in the media and in Christian communities. In this way, words of hatred will give way to words of hope and peace.
To read the Pope’s full message, visit www.vatican.va!