The Pope’s initiative reflects a longstanding Catholic tradition of turning to the Rosary in times of crisis.
Newsroom (24/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) In a heartfelt appeal during his Wednesday General Audience on September 24, 2025, Pope Leo XIV called on Catholics worldwide to dedicate the month of October to praying the Rosary daily, seeking God’s gift of peace in a world scarred by conflict. The pontiff announced a special Rosary prayer event in St. Peter’s Square on October 11, 2025, at 6:00 PM, as part of the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality, inviting the faithful to unite in prayer for war-torn regions and global harmony.
“I invite everyone, each day of the coming month, to pray the Rosary for peace—personally, in the family, and in community,” Pope Leo declared, his voice resonating with urgency and hope. The call to prayer comes as the Catholic Church observes October as the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary, a tradition rooted in devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The October 11 event in St. Peter’s Square will coincide with the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality, a two-day celebration on October 11-12, 2025, emphasizing the role of Marian devotion in the Church’s spiritual life. Adding profound significance to the occasion, the original image of Our Lady of Fatima, a cherished symbol of peace and intercession, will be present in the square during the Rosary. The date also marks the 63rd anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council by Pope St. John XXIII on October 11, 1962, a milestone in modern Church history.
In a special invitation to Vatican employees, Pope Leo encouraged daily Rosary prayers at 7:00 PM in St. Peter’s Basilica throughout October, fostering a collective spiritual effort within the heart of the Vatican. Addressing Portuguese pilgrims during the audience, the Pope decried the “ruins wrought by murderous hatred” in conflict zones, urging Christians to counter division with “the love of Jesus that illumines and lifts up humanity.”
The Pope’s initiative reflects a longstanding Catholic tradition of turning to the Rosary in times of crisis. Historically, the prayer has been associated with intercessions for peace, notably during the 1917 apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, where the Virgin Mary called for daily Rosary recitation to end World War I. Pope Leo’s call echoes this legacy, inviting Catholics to seek Mary’s intercession for an end to ongoing conflicts in regions such as Ukraine, the Middle East, and beyond.
The Jubilee of Marian Spirituality, during which the Rosary for Peace will take place, is part of the broader Jubilee Year celebrations, emphasizing renewal and reconciliation. The presence of the Our Lady of Fatima statue underscores the event’s spiritual weight, as the Fatima message has long been associated with prayers for peace and conversion.
As Catholics prepare for October, dioceses and parishes worldwide are expected to organize local Rosary initiatives, aligning with the Pope’s call for collective prayer. Vatican officials have indicated that the October 11 event will be livestreamed, allowing the global faithful to participate virtually.
Pope Leo XIV’s appeal underscores his ongoing emphasis on peace and unity, themes central to his pontificate. By rallying Catholics to the Rosary, he seeks to harness the power of communal prayer to address the world’s deepest wounds, offering a message of hope amid turmoil.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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