YOUNGSTOWN — The Diocese of Youngstown will be participating this weekend in Pope Leo XIV’s Prayer Vigil for Peace.

Since his election last May, Leo has repeatedly called for

peace.

In light of the recent conflict unfolding in Iran, the Pope is asking those who have weapons to lay them down and those who have the power to unleash wars to choose peace.

Leo invites people to join him for a vigil of prayer for peace, which will take place simultaneously throughout the world beginning at noon Saturday.

In each of the six counties of the Diocese of Youngstown, one church has been designated to be open for prayer, though certainly other parishes are invited and encouraged to participate.

Parishes open noon to 1 p.m. Saturday are:

• St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish-Blessed Sacrament Church, Warren

• St. Columba Parish-St. Edward Church, Youngstown

Bishop David Bonnar of the Diocese of Youngstown urges Catholics and all people in the six counties of the diocese to observe a time of prayer for an end to conflict and for a lasting peace in the Middle East and throughout the world.