Easter - Praying with Pope Leo for Peace

                                     


This is a portion of a homily given by Pope Leo XIV during a prayer vigil for peace on the evening of April 11, 2026.

"Prayer teaches us how to act. In prayer, our limited human possibilities are joined to the infinite possibilities of God. Thoughts, words, and deeds then break the demonic cycle of evil and are placed at the service of the Kingdom of God. A Kingdom in which there is no sword, no drone, no vengeance, no trivialization of evil, no unjust profit, but only dignity, understanding and foregiveness.  It is here that we find a bulwark against that delusion of omniptence that surrounds us and is becoming increasingly unpredictable and aggressive. . . .

Lord Jesus,
you conquered death without weapons or violence:
you  shattered its power with the strength of peace.
Grant us your peace,
as you did the women filled with doubt on Easter morning,
as you did to the disciples who were hiding in fear.
Send forth your Spirit,
the breath that gives life and reconciles,
that turns adversaries and enemies into brothers and sisters.
Inspire in us to trust in Mary, your mother,
who stood at the foot of the cross with a broken heart,
firm in the faith that you would rise again.
May the madness of war cease
and the earth be cared for and cultivated by those who still
know how to bring forth, protect and love life.
Hear us, Lord of life!"

Back