By Courtney Mares, OSV News The ancient practice of fasting from food during Lent can free us from complacency and lead us to "hunger" for God, Pope Leo XIV said in his 2026 Lenten message. Ahead of Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of the 40-day liturgical season of Lent, the Holy Father encouraged people to embrace the "ancient ascetic practice" of abstaining from food, as well as "...