April 11: Praying for Peace

In his first Easter message to the city of Rome and to the world on Easter Sunday, “Urbi et Orbi,” Pope Leo not only proclaimed the central tenet of the Christian faith that “Christ, my hope, is risen from death,” but also called on those waging war to lay down their weapons and choose peace.

To this end, the Holy Father led a Prayer Vigil for Peace in St. Peter’s Basilica this morning, April 11. Both prior to the Vigil and afterward, the Holy Father has requested that all join him in praying, without ceasing, for peace.

In this special Jubilee Year honoring St. Francis of Assisi, who was the very model of Christ’s peace, let us continue to come together to further support the Holy Father’s request, and to embrace the great Easter gifts of harmony and peace. As Pope Leo reflected in his “Urbi et Orbi” message on Easter Sunday, “To the Lord we entrust all hearts that suffer and await the true peace that only He can give. Let us entrust ourselves to Him and open our hearts to Him! He is the only one who makes all things new (cf. Revelation 21, 5).” May peace flourish in our hearts, in our families, in our parish, and in the world – especially in war-torn places.

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Pope Leo’s Prayer to St. Francis:

“Saint Francis, our brother, you who eight hundred years ago went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace, intercede for us before the Lord. You recognized true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano, teach us to seek in Christ the source of all reconciliation that breaks down every wall. You who, unarmed, crossed the lines of war and misunderstanding, give us the courage to build bridges where the world raises up boundaries. In this time afflicted by conflict and division, intercede for us so that we may become peacemakers: unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace that comes from Christ. Amen.”