Prayer Vigil for Peace to use light from Lamp of Peace from Assisi
By Kielce Gussie
“Let us make heard the cry for peace that springs from our hearts! For this reason, I invite everyone to join me in a prayer vigil for peace, which we will celebrate here in St. Peter’s Basilica next Saturday, April 11.”
“I urge that this period of delicate diplomatic work be accompanied by prayer."
On Easter Sunday, during his Urbi et Orbi message and again at the close of his Wednesday General Audience on April 8, Pope Leo XIV extended these invitations to everyone around the world to join him in a Prayer Vigil for Peace that is set to be held in St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday at 6:00 PM Rome time.
The announcements came in light of the ongoing violence in the Middle East. Despite the two-week ceasefire between Iran, Israel, and the US, the Pope reiterated the need for a dedicated time of prayer for peace as conflicts continue to rage on in Lebanon, Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen, and other countries around the world.
On Easter Sunday, the Pope stressed the peace that Jesus gives us is not merely the silence of weapons, but the peace that touches and transforms the heart of each one of us. Action must be joined by prayer.
For that reason, the Prayer Vigil on Saturday will be led by the themes of peace and hope as people around the world join the Holy Father in praying the Glorious mysteries of the Rosary with meditations from various Church Fathers, including St. Augustine of Hippo, St. John Chrysostom, and St. Ambrose of Milan.
During the Rosary, faithful from different continents—Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania—will light candles with the flame from the Lamp of Peace in Assisi, which burns perpetually at the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi.
To close the vigil, Pope Leo will offer a reflection and prayer before offering a final blessing asking for the grace of peace upon the entire world.
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