Pope's Prayer Intentions for 2024
The Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network is a pontifical work with the mission of mobilizing Catholics through prayer and action, in the face of the challenges confronting humanity and the mission of the Church. These challenges are addressed in the form of prayer intentions entrusted by the Pope to the entire Church. Its mission is inscribed in the dynamic of the Heart of Jesus: a mission of compassion for the world.
The monthly prayer intentions of the Holy Father for 2024 are entrusted to the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, which Pope Francis officially established as a pontifical work on 17 November 2020.
DECEMBER 2024: For pilgrims of hope.
‘We must fan the flame of hope that has been given to us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart, and far-sighted vision.’ – Pope Francis.
NOVEMBER 2024: For those who have lost a child.
In his prayer intention for November, Pope Francis prays that all parents who mourn the loss of a son or daughter might find consolation in their community, and may receive peace of heart from the Spirit of Consolation.
OCTOBER 2024: For a Shared Mission.
Pope Francis calls on all faithful in whatever vocation they may have to do their best to contribute to a sense of co-responsibility in the Church.
SEPTEMBER 2024: For the cry of the Earth.
“Let us pray that each of us listen with our hearts to the cry of the Earth and of the victims of environmental disasters and the climate crisis, making a personal commitment to care for the world we inhabit.” — Pope Francis
AUGUST 2024: For political leaders.
In his prayer intention for August, Pope Francis prays that political leaders may be at the service of their people.
JULY 2024: For the pastoral care of the sick.
Pope Francis invites Christians to pray that the Church might show God’s closeness to people enduring illness.
We pray that the sacrament of the anointing of the sick confers to those who receive it and their loved ones the power of the Lord and becomes ever more a visible sign of compassion and hope for all.
JUNE 2024: For those fleeing their own countries.
The Pope reminds Christians that “whoever welcomes a migrant welcomes Christ,” and expresses how often this context is forgotten. “The feeling of uprootedness or not knowing where they belong often accompanies the trauma experienced by people who are forced to flee their homeland because of war or poverty.”
MAY 2024: For the formation of men and women religious, and seminarians.
"Let us pray that men and women religious, and seminarians, growin their own vocational journey through human, pastoral, spiritual and community formation that leads them to be credible witnesses of the Gospel.”
APRIL 2024: For the role of women.
"Let us pray that the dignity and worth of women be recognised in every culture."
The Pope asks Christians to join him in prayer “that the dignity and worth of women be recognized in every culture, and for an end to the discrimination they face in various parts of the world.”
MARCH 2024: For the martyrs of our day, witnesses to Christ.
Pope Francis requests prayers for the new martyrs of our day, so that they might “imbue the Church with their courage and missionary drive".
February 2024: FOR THE TERMINALLY ILL
“Healing," the Pope acknowledges, "is not always possible, but we can always care for the sick person, caress them.”
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known
that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help,
or sought thy intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence
I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To thee do I come,
before thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
January 2024: FOR THE GIFT OF DIVERSITY IN THE CHURCH
We pray that the Holy Spirit may help us to recognise the gift of different charisms within the Christian community and to discover the richness of different traditions and rituals in the Catholic Church.
Holy Spirit,
who builds the unity of the Church
and shows your infinite creativity
through the diversity of charisms,
fill the Church with your gifts,
according to the marvelous God’s Providence design,
so that we may learn
to appreciate the gifts of others
and work together for the good of all,
sharing our charisms
at the service of the community.
May diversity among Christians
never be a cause of division,
but of mutual enrichment,
because diversity
gives depth and richness to life.
Do not allow us to fall into the temptation
to consider our gifts
as superior to those of others,
or ourselves as superior to them.
May there be room for all in the Church
and may we grow together in harmony, in faith and in love
as one body, the Body of Christ.
Amen.