Pope Leo XIV has urged Christians across the world to abstain from words that offend and hurt others as the Lenten season begins.
The Pontiff spoke to abstaining from cruel language as a “very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence” in his 2026 Lenten Message, which was published ahead of Ash Wednesday and appeared on the Vatican website.
He said, “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.”
Pope Leo XIV said the liturgical season offers a chance to put the mystery of God at the center of life as Christians begin Lent, a 40-day time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
According to him, the first step in any conversion process is to let God’s message enter one’s heart, which results in a fresh resolve to follow Christ through His suffering, death, and resurrection.
The Pope emphasized the value of listening to God and others, pointing out that genuine connections develop from attentiveness.
“In the midst of the many voices present in our personal lives and in society, Sacred Scripture helps us to recognize and respond to the cry of those who are anguished and suffering,” he said.
He went on to say that Christians should practice inner openness, particularly toward the impoverished, whose hardships test people, institutions of higher learning, and even the church.
The Pope emphasized the spiritual benefits of fasting, saying it releases Catholics from complacency and helps them rediscover their great yearning for justice.
“Precisely because it involves the body, fasting makes it easier to recognize what we ‘hunger’ for and what we deem necessary for our sustenance,” he said.
He pointed out that maintaining the thirst for justice and appropriately controlling one’s appetite are two benefits of fasting.
He did, however, issue a warning against actions that can breed arrogance, emphasizing that fasting must be done with humility and faith.
Pope Leo XIV specifically emphasized disarming one’s language, which he called an underappreciated type of fasting.
“Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgment, refraining from slander, and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves,” he urged.
In their homes, places of employment, churches, on social media, and during political discussions, he urged Christians to practice love and respect.
Words of hatred would “give way to words of hope and peace” if believers adopted such discipline, he said.
Additionally, the Pope emphasized the community aspect of Lent, urging parishes, families, and religious communities to become listening spaces and welcoming places, particularly for those who are suffering.
In closing, he prayed that Christian communities would be strengthened to engage in a kind of fasting that includes language use, making more room for other voices.
