Pray with the Pope is a global initiative of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network where the Holy Father shares his monthly prayer intention, an invitation to pray and mobilize for the challenges facing humanity and the mission of the Church, through The Pope Video and The Pope Audio.
At the beginning of Holy Week, Pope Leo XIV announces his prayer intention for the month of April. Dedicated to priests in crisis, it opens the possibility of reflecting on the needs to care for them, listen to them, and accompany them. Through the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network’s “Pray with the Pope” campaign, the Holy Father invites the faithful and all people of good will to spend a moment in prayer, to become aware of and to reflect on the fact that behind every minister is a person who needs closeness and a listening ear.
In his prayer, the Pope offers a moving plea for priests going through difficult moments, “when loneliness weighs heavily, when doubt clouds their hearts, and when exhaustion seems stronger than hope.” Leo XIV reminds us that priests, “are not mere functionaries or lonely heroes, but beloved sons, humble and cherished disciples, and pastors sustained by the prayer of their people.”
APRIL: For priests in crisis
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amén.
Lord Jesus,
Good Shepherd and companion on the journey,
today we place in your hands all priests,
especially those going through moments of crisis,
when loneliness weighs heavily,
when doubt clouds their hearts,
and when exhaustion seems stronger than hope.
You who know their struggles and wounds,
renew in them the certainty of your unconditional love.
Let them feel they are not mere functionaries or lonelyheroes,
but beloved sons, humble and cherished disciples,
and pastors sustained by the prayer of their people.
Good Father,
teach us as a community to care for our priests:
to listen without judging,
to give thanks without demanding perfection,
to share with them the baptismal mission
of proclaiming the Kingdom in word and deed,
and to accompany them with closeness and sincere prayer.
May we support those who so often support us.
Holy Spirit,
rekindle in our priests the joy of the Gospel.
Grant them healthy friendships, networks of fraternal support,
a sense of humour when things don’t go as expected,
and the grace to always rediscover the beauty of their vocation.
May they never lose trust in You,
nor the joy of serving your Church with a humble and generous heart.
Amen.
