Pope promotes Rosary for peace, urges Christians to listen more

By Devin Watkins

As the Marian month of May draws to a close and wars wage around the world, Pope Francis is inviting the faithful to join him in praying the Rosary for peace.

The prayer vigil takes place on Tuesday, 31 May, and will be broadcast live from the Basilica of St. Mary Major, beginning at 6 PM Rome time.

Speaking after the prayer of the Regina Coeli on Sunday, the Pope appealed for shrines across the world to join him in imploring the Queen of Peace for the gift of peace.

Heartfelt listening

As the Church marks World Communications Day on Sunday, Pope Francis urged everyone to listen more attentively to one another.

His message for Communications Day 2022, released in late January, goes under the theme: “Listening with the ear of the heart.”

On Sunday, the Pope expressed his hope that we might all learn to listen with our hearts.

Blessed Luigi Lenzini

Pope Francis also noted a pair of events taking place in Italy over the weekend.

He recalled the beatification in Modena on Saturday of Fr. Luigi Lenzini, a martyr of the faith killed in 1945 for embracing Christian values in a time of hatred and conflict.

“May this priest, a pastor in the mold of the heart of Christ and a messenger of truth and justice,” said the Pope, “help us from Heaven to bear witness to the Gospel with charity and frankness.”

Care for the sick

As Italy celebrates the National Care Day, the Pope recalled that a person with an illness is always more important than their disease.

“Even when healing is not possible, care can always be given,” he said, citing his message for the 2022 World Day of the Sick. “It is always possible to console; it is always possible to make people sense a closeness.”