Today, Ash Wednesday, the liturgy extends to all the faithful a strong invitation to conversion, using the words of the Apostle Paul: “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Lent is the best time spiritually to receive this exhortation, since it is a time of more intense prayer, penance and greater attentiveness to the needs of our brothers and sisters.

Through today's rite of the giving of ashes, we recognize that we are sinners, we ask God for forgiveness and we manifest a sincere desire for conversion. Thus we begin a journey that is austere and ascetic and that will lead us to the Easter triduum, which is the heart of the liturgical year.

Fostering Open Hearts

In keeping with the ancient tradition of the Church, all the faithful are obliged today to abstain from meat and to fast, with the sole exception of those who are reasonably prevented from doing so for reasons of health or age. Fasting is highly valued in the life of Christians and is something that the spirit needs in order to have a better relationship with God. Indeed, the external aspects of fasting, however important, are not the extent of this practice. They need to be accompanied by a sincere desire for interior purification, a readiness to obey God's will and a solicitous solidarity with our brothers and sisters, particularly those who are most poor.

There is a close link between fasting and prayer. To pray is to listen to God and fasting fosters this openness of heart.

A Plea for Peace

As we enter the Lenten season, we cannot help but be aware of the current international context in which the tension of a threat of war has been stirred up. We all need to consciously assume some responsibility for this and engage in a common effort to spare humanity from another dramatic conflict. For this reason, I wanted today, Ash Wednesday, to be a day of prayer and fasting to intercede for peace in the world. Above all, we must ask God for a conversion of heart, in which every form of evil and every tendency to sin is rooted; we must pray and fast for peaceful coexistence among peoples and nations.

At the beginning of our meeting, we heard some encouraging words from the prophet Isaiah: “One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again” (Isaiah 2:4). And yet again: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks” (Ibid.). The sovereign presence of God, who judges men's choices, looms above the upheavals of history. Let us turn our hearts to him who “shall judge between the nations” and “impose terms on many peoples” (Ibid.) and beg for a future of justice and peace for all. This thought should encourage each one of us to persevere in unceasing prayer and in an active commitment to build a world in which egoism gives way to solidarity and love.

I also wish to extend once again the urgent invitation to conversion, repentance and solidarity from my Message for Lent from a few days ago, whose theme is that beautiful phrase from the Acts of the Apostles: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (see Acts 20:35).

In fact, it is only through conversion to this type of reasoning that we can build a social order that is characterized not by a precarious balance of conflicting interests but by an equitable and mutual quest for the common good. Christians, just like leaven, are called to live and proclaim a style of generosity in every realm of life, thereby promoting a moral and civil development of society that is genuine. In this regard, I wrote the following: “Depriving ourselves not only of the superfluous but even of something more by distributing it to those in need contributes to that denial of self without which there is no authentic practice of Christian life” (L'Osservatore Romano, No. 4, Feb. 7, 2003, p. 5).

May this day of prayer and fasting for peace, with which we begin Lent, be translated in concrete gestures of reconciliation. From the family circle to the international arena, may each one feel a sense of and make a commitment to mutual responsibility for building peace. The God of peace, who fathoms the intentions of our hearts and calls his children peacemakers (see Matthew 5:9), will not fail to repay us (see Matthew 6:4, 6, 18).

We entrust our observance to the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Rosary and Mother of Peace. May she take us by the hand and accompany us during the next 40 days to Easter, when we will contemplate the risen Lord.

I wish everyone a good and fruitful Lent!

(Register translation)