Image Credit: Pope Leo XIV prays the Rosary for peace at the Basilica [CNS Photo / Vatican Media]
Why Pope Leo XIV Asks for the Rosary for Peace This October
Pope Leo XIV has asked Catholics around the world to pray the Rosary for peace throughout October. The Church dedicates this whole month to the Holy Rosary. In addition, it keeps the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7. Therefore, his appeal arrives at a fitting time. He wants every believer to pray for an end to war. Moreover, he hopes this prayer will bring peace among peoples in conflict.
The Pope made his appeal on September 27 at the Angelus in Lourdes, France. He spoke right after the outdoor Mass of his journey to the country. First, he recalled the meaning of the place. Indeed, Our Lady appeared there to Saint Bernadette with a Rosary and guided her in prayer. For this reason, he felt the shrine was the right place to make this request. As a result, he invited every believer and every Christian community to join him.
However, the Pope did not stop at words. He asked the faithful to join the Rosary with concrete acts of penance and mercy. In addition, he urged them to foster dialogue and reconciliation. Thus, the appeal calls for a change of heart as well as prayer. Finally, he entrusted the whole effort to the intercession of Our Lady.
Three days later, he repeated the request. At the end of his general audience on September 30, he noted that October would begin the next day. Then he asked the faithful to pray the Rosary for the end of wars. Notably, Catholic Culture reported that the Vatican’s English translation left those words out. Nevertheless, his message stayed clear and consistent on both occasions.
On October 1, the Pope put his appeal into practice. That evening, he prayed the Rosary with hundreds of children and their families at the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens. The prayer formed part of an initiative of Aid to the Church in Need. Furthermore, he told the children that one million young people were praying with them across the world. Likewise, he stressed that prayer needs charity. He added that this is how peace grows.
The Rosary suits this intention well. It leads believers to meditate on the life of Christ with Mary. As a result, it turns troubled hearts towards the Prince of Peace. Moreover, anyone can pray it, whether at home, at work or on a journey. Even a few quiet minutes can steady a restless mind. In addition, praying together binds families and parishes in a shared purpose. Consequently, the prayer builds peace in small places before it reaches large ones.
This is not the first time Pope Leo XIV has made such a request. Last year, he asked Catholics to pray the Rosary every day in October for peace, personally, with their families and in their communities. At that time, he also invited Vatican staff to pray together every evening at seven o’clock. Then he led the faithful in a Rosary for peace in Saint Peter’s Square on October 11, 2025, during the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality.
The link between the Rosary and peace has deep roots. For example, Pope Saint Pius V asked Christians to pray the Rosary before the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. Afterwards, he established a yearly feast, which later became the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Similarly, Pope Leo XIII encouraged the faithful to pray the Rosary throughout October. Therefore, the present appeal continues a long Catholic tradition.
You can join this prayer in simple ways. First, pray one decade each day, or the full Rosary if time allows. Next, offer each Hail Mary for an end to war. Then invite your family, friends or parish to pray with you. In addition, add one small act of mercy, such as a visit, a kind word or a gift to the poor. Our Novena to Our Lady of the Rosary can also help you pray with Mary for nine days. Meanwhile, you can read more about the appeal at Catholic Culture and the Catholic Courier.
Pope Leo XIV has made a clear and simple request. Pray the Rosary, ask for peace and act with mercy. Indeed, one decade a day can change a household. Therefore, begin today and keep going until the end of October.
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