Pope Leo XIV Enjoins Listening, Fasting, Spiritual Renewal
Embrace Interior Conversion -Bishop Nwobi
On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Catholics began the 40-day spiritual journey of Lent, leading to Easter. In his 2026 Lenten Message, his first as the Supreme Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV enjoined the faithful to engage in listening, fasting, and spiritual renewal. He described Lent as an opportune time to restore relationships with God and neighbor.
The Holy Father emphasized the importance of listening, proposing that during Lent, Christians should listen to the Word in order to renew their commitment to following Christ. He articulated that, “Listening to the word in the liturgy teaches us to listen to the truth of reality. 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. In order to foster this inner openness to listening, we must allow God to teach us how to listenashe does. We must recognize that “the condition of the poor is a cry that, throughout human history, constantly challenges our lives, societies, political and economic systems, and, not least, the Church.”
Addressing the necessity of fasting during this sacred season, Pope Leo described fasting as a concrete way to prepare ourselves to receive the word of God. “Because it involves the body, fasting makes it easier to recognize what we ‘hunger’ for and what we deem necessary for our sustenance. Moreover, it helps us to identify and order our “appetites,” keeping our hunger and thirst for justice alive and freeing us from complacency. Thus, it teaches us to pray and act responsibly towards our neighbor,” he stated.
Guiding proper fasting, he noted that fasting should be practiced in faith and humility, in line with its evangelical character, while avoiding the temptation that leads to pride. “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, since ‘austerity alone makes the Christian life strong and authentic,.” he recommended.
In a world fraught with polarization and conflict, Pope Leo XIV urged Catholics to disarm their language and fast from words that wound. The Pope stressed that true fasting reshapes the heart, leading to justice, mercy, and authentic conversion. By refraining from harsh speech and embracing compassion, he said that Christians can make their homes and communities places of reconciliation and kindness, filled with words of hope and peace.
“Our parishes, families, ecclesial groups, and religious communities are called to undertake a shared journey during Lent, in which listening to the word of God, as well as to the cry of the poor and of the earth, becomes part of our community life, and fasting is a foundation for sincere repentance. In this context, conversion refers not only to one’s conscience but also to the quality of our relationships and dialogue. It means allowing ourselves to be challenged by reality…. Let us strive to make our communities places where the cry of those who suffer finds welcome, and listening opens paths towards liberation, making us ready and eager to contribute to building a civilization of love,” he concluded.
Similarly, the Catholic Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Simeon Okezuo Nwobi CMF, has exhorted the faithful to embrace interior conversion as they begin the 2026 Lenten period. This message was delivered during his homily for Ash Wednesday on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
The Bishop made known to the faithful the germane need to delve deeply into their own lives, to reflect, and to reassess their inner being, thereby addressing their weaknesses. This process would aid them to participate actively and gainfully receive the grace that comes with Lent.
To assist this journey of interior conversion, he encouraged the faithful to embrace the life of prayer, fasting, abstinence, forgiveness, and reconciliation during this holy season. “By doing these, you truly embody the spirit of a Catholic and follower of Christ, ensuring this holy season is abundantly fruitful for you,” he stressed.
Bishop Nwobi equally highlighted that this interior conversion should be genuine and rooted in personal sincerity, establishing the individual and God. He cautioned the faithful on the dangers of displaying their piety for public acknowledgement, asserting that true repentance comes through self-examination. Such repentance transforms individuals into agents of forgiveness, peace, love, kindness, and generosity. “This is a moment to ask ourselves the significant questions about our spiritual journey, which will aid us in leading a good Christian life,” he advised the faithful, while also underscoring the importance of self-reflection. While concluding his homily, he stated that this interior conversion is urgently needed in our world today. He added that the Lenten period offers us a time of grace to actualize this interior conversion and a special moment to obtain grace and favors from God. Bishop Nwobi encouraged the faithful to make good use of the opportunity
