Speaking at his General Audience on Wednesday—the liturgical memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary—Pope Leo XIV renewed his global appeal for the faithful to pray the Rosary throughout October, urging believers to seek peace for a world deeply wounded by war. Highlighting the traditional devotion to Mary as a “safe refuge amid life’s difficulties,” the Pope emphasized her role as a source of dynamic strength and consolation during times of global conflict and personal trial.
The Pontiff’s message echoed calls he previously delivered during an Angelus address and at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in late September, where he asked that daily Rosary recitations be offered specifically for an end to war and the establishment of peace among conflicting nations. Pope Leo insisted that these spiritual efforts must be paired with tangible actions, urging Catholics to accompany their prayers with concrete acts of penance, mercy, and a steadfast commitment to promoting dialogue and reconciliation.
During the audience, Pope Leo offered special blessings to international pilgrims, entrusting Portuguese-speaking faithful to the maternal intercession of Our Lady of Aparecida ahead of her October 12 feast day, and pointing Chinese-speaking pilgrims to Mary as a reliable anchor of strength during moments of suffering.
The Pope’s worldwide prayer campaign kicked off earlier in the month when he led 1,300 people—including 700 children—in praying the Rosary in five languages at the Grotto of Lourdes in the Vatican Gardens. Organized by the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need under its “A Million Children Pray the Rosary” initiative, the event drew inspiration from St. Padre Pio’s famous conviction that “if a million children pray the Rosary together, the world will change.”