POPE LEO XIV: ROSARY PRAYERS FOR ALL THE CHILDREN IN THE WORLD
Source: Vatican News Photo Credit: Vatican News
On Thursday, 1 October 2026, Pope Leo XIV joined about 1,300 people, including about 700 children, in praying the Rosary at the Grotto of Lourdes in the Vatican Gardens for peace and an end to violence worldwide.
Marking the start of the Month of the Rosary, the initiative brought together one million children worldwide in prayer for peace. About 1,300 participants gathered physically in the Vatican Gardens, while countless others joined from different countries through the Aid to the Church in Need initiative, “One Million Children Praying the Rosary.”
Children from parishes and schools around Rome assembled at the Grotto of Lourdes to begin the prayer campaign, which seeks to unite children throughout the world in praying for peace, reconciliation and hope.
Reflecting the universal nature of the Church, each of the five decades of the Rosary was prayed in a different language: Italian, Spanish, Urdu, German and Arabic.
This week-long initiative, held from 1–7 October, draws attention to both the wounds and hopes of peoples across the world, particularly the suffering of children and families affected by war and conflict. Special prayers were offered for the people of Ukraine, Lebanon, Syria and the Holy Land, for persecuted Christians in Pakistan and other parts of the world, for reconciliation in South Sudan, and for families in Cuba and Venezuela.
The Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, Cardinal Kurt Koch, described the initiative as an invitation for children to learn that, “together with Mary, they can bring the sufferings of the world to Jesus.” He added that “it is precisely the voices of the youngest, who entrust themselves to Him with confidence, that find a special welcome in the heart of God.”
Cardinal Koch further noted that communities throughout the world, though separated by language and distance, become united through prayer for peace. “As we contemplate the Risen Christ, we ask that fear and hatred may not have the final word,” he said.
In his address, Pope Leo XIV expressed his joy at being present with the children, parents and priests gathered for the occasion. He emphasized the importance of persevering in prayer, especially for people living in places affected by war and violence.
The Holy Father concluded by reminding those present that approximately one million children were joining in prayer around the world. “Think about it,” he said, “fifty million ‘Hail Marys’ rising to Heaven from every part of the world and in every language, asking for peace, joining together like one enormous Rosary embracing all continents, peoples and nations.”
Pope Leo XIV also reminded everyone that prayer must be accompanied by good deeds and acts of love, stressing that, “That is how peace grows.”
Story by:
Anita Aryeh
DEPSOCOM, Accral
