Home · Faith · Oct 4 archive
Pope praises kids who prayed Rosary with him
Confirmed
In Short: More than 700 children from schools and parishes in Rome gathered with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican Gardens on Thursday to pray the rosary for peace.
Pope Leo XIV emphasized the simplicity of the rosary, a prayer accessible to everyone, and called on the children to thank Jesus and ask for peace.
The rosary was also prayed at Marian shrines around the world, including the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Fatima, Portugal, and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France.
In Washington, several hundred people joined the rosary at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, with Archbishop Caccia leading the prayer.
The praying of the rosary for peace coincided with ongoing conflicts, including the ceasefire negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, and the continued war in Ukraine.
Pope Leo XIV noted that he is again asking everyone to dedicate the month of October to praying the Rosary every day for peace.
The event included the rosary in several languages, reflecting the global nature of the initiative.
Pope Leo XIV's appeal to pray the Rosary for peace throughout October was inspired by the 'One Million Children Praying the Rosary' initiative promoted by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
What this adds
The Pope's call to pray the Rosary for peace is part of a long-standing initiative that began in 2005 in Caracas, Venezuela.
The rosary was also prayed in war-torn places such as the Sanctuary of the Mother of God in Zarvanytsia, Ukraine, and the Shrine of St. Charbel Annaya in Byblos, Lebanon.
Background
French artist JR expressed admiration for Pope Leo XIV's stance on artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting the pontiff's role as a cultural bridge amidst technological upheaval.
What's confirmed
- Pope Leo XIV emphasized the simplicity of the rosary, a prayer accessible to everyone, and called on the children to thank Jesus and ask for peace.
- The rosary was also prayed at Marian shrines around the world, including the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Fatima, Portugal, and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France.
- In Washington, several hundred people joined the rosary at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, with Archbishop Caccia leading the prayer.
- The praying of the rosary for peace coincided with ongoing conflicts, including the ceasefire negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, and the continued war in Ukraine.
- Pope Leo XIV noted that he is again asking everyone to dedicate the month of October to praying the Rosary every day for peace.
- The event included the rosary in several languages, reflecting the global nature of the initiative.
- Pope Leo XIV's appeal to pray the Rosary for peace throughout October was inspired by the 'One Million Children Praying the Rosary' initiative promoted by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
What's still developing
- “I am truly happy to be with you. And you, children, tell me: Are you happy to have come. Good, that makes me happy too. Above all, because this evening we have gathered together to be with the two people who love us more than anyone else. Who are they. The Lord Jesus and his mother, Mary, who never leave us alone and who are always close to us,” Pope Leo said in his address before the rosary.
- The rosary also came as the United States and Iran were reportedly working on an agreement to extend a ceasefire in that war launched by the U.S. and Israel more than three months ago, while Israel has resumed bombing targets in Lebanon in its war against Hezbollah militants there.
- Rossi said, noting that the rosary for peace was happening at the end of the month of May which is dedicated to the Blessed Mother.
- While those at the basilica prayed the rosary, they could see two video screens set up in opposite corners at the front of the sanctuary that showed scenes of the pope leading the rosary at the Vatican Gardens.
- Following a processional hymn of “Immaculate Mary,” Msgr.
- “We are gathered here together with so many pilgrims present at Marian shrines throughout the world to pray to the Lord that he may grant his peace to peoples and nations,” Msgr.
- Pope Leo presided over the worldwide rosary for peace from the Lourdes grotto in the Vatican Gardens.
- The worldwide rosary was coordinated by the Vatican Dicastery for Evangelization and livestreamed from the Vatican and via the basilica’s livestream.
- Speaking after the midday Angelus on this October 4, he recalled how the month started at the feet of Our Lady in the Vatican Gardens, with the Pope surrounded by hundreds of energetic -- and prayerful -- children.
- The Vatican event included the Rosary in several languages, including Arabic in the mystery devoted to praying for Syria and Lebanon, and Urdu, for the mystery focused on the intention of Pakistan.
- What began in Caracas, Venezuela, in 2005 as a simple initiative inspired by children praying the Rosary has, with ACN’s support, grown over more than 20 years into a worldwide movement of prayer for peace and unity.
- The Pope’s appeal comes in the immediate context of this year’s ACN initiative.
Sources
- CBCPNewslink
- OSV Newslink
- aleteia.orglink
- Churchinneedlink
- Aleteialink
- Acnuklink
- OSV Newslink
- Relevantradiolink
- Ncregisterlink
- Qazinformlink
- Catholicsunlink
- Ewtnnewslink
- Ewtnvaticanlink
- Aciafricalink
- Americamagazinelink
- WarpBeat — background on JR Praises Pope's Stance on AI link
- ROME REPORTS in English — video link