Avoid Harsh Words and Rash Judgement, Pope Admonishes Christians in 2026 Lenten Message

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Ahead of the beginning of 2026 Lenten season, head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, has admonished Christians all over the world to avoid using harsh words that hurt their neighbours in order to create an atmosphere of peace and hope.

The Pope gave the exhortation in his message for Lent 2026, which was released on Friday, February 13.

“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 stated.

The Pontiff urged Christians to open themselves to listening, fasting, and community service – sacrifices needed to create a peaceful world.

Pinnacle Daily reports that this year’s Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18.

Lent, which often begins on Ash Wednesday, is a 40-day liturgical season of preparation, fasting, prayer and repentance leading up to Easter (the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection).

Lent is modeled after the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert fasting and praying before starting his public ministry. For Christians, it’s a time to reflect on their lives and relationship with God, repent for mistakes made that turned them away from spiritual values and renew their faith so they can fully experience the joy of Easter.

The Church emphasises three specific practices during Lent, which include prayer, fasting (abstinence) and almsgiving (practice of charity).

While speaking on fasting, the Pope in his message, observed that it helps Christians to take absolute control of their desires, sanctifying and directing them toward God and good deeds.

He noted that fasting must be done with faith, humility, and communion with the Lord, and not in a way that leads to pride, adding that other forms of self-denial also lead to a more sober lifestyle.

Beyond fasting from eating, the Pope’s message also emphasised on interior conversion. Instead of the outward show of abstaining from eating edibles, the Pope called on Christians to fast from rash judgment and harshness towards others. In other words this is an invitation to make the heart a more welcoming place for others.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Pope Leo’s 2026 Lenten message addresses the modern pattern of communication, especially on social media where the use of hurtful words on one another, harsh criticisms and rash judgements have become a common trend.

He emphasised “silencing the noise” of online hostility and snap judgments.

He encouraged Christians to pause before reacting, suggesting that rash judgment is often the result of speed rather than truth.

His message called for replacement of vitriol with empathy, treating every interaction—online or offline—as an opportunity for fraternal charity.

“Let us ask for the strength that comes from the type of fasting that also extends to our use of language, so that hurtful words may diminish and give way to a greater space for the voice of others,” he added.

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