Pope Leo XIV Calls for Global Prayer for Disarmament and Peace in March Intention

Pope Leo XIV has invited Catholics around the world to unite in prayer during the month of March with a special intention focused on disarmament and peace. Through his monthly message shared in The Pope Video, the Holy Father encouraged the global Church to reflect on the urgent need for dialogue, reconciliation, and the rejection of violence in an increasingly unstable world.

In the message, the Pope reminded believers that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God. He emphasized that humanity was created for communion and fraternity rather than conflict and destruction. The appeal forms part of the Church’s ongoing spiritual initiative that encourages Catholics to pray together for key global concerns each month.

The prayer begins with a reflection on Christ’s greeting to his disciples. Pope Leo XIV recalled the words “Peace be with you” and asked God to grant humanity the gift of true peace and the strength needed to make it visible in the course of history. The Pope encouraged believers to raise their voices in prayer for peace throughout the world and to ask that nations move away from weapons and instead choose dialogue and diplomacy as the path forward.

The Holy Father also stressed that peace begins within the human heart. He prayed that people everywhere may be able to disarm their hearts from hatred, resentment, and indifference so that individuals can become instruments of reconciliation in their communities and relationships.

According to the Pope’s message, lasting security cannot be built on fear or the pursuit of power. Instead, he said, true security grows from trust between peoples, justice within societies, and solidarity across nations. The call highlights a broader moral reflection within the Church about how political decisions and international relations shape the lives of millions around the world.

A significant part of the prayer focused on the dangers posed by nuclear weapons and the global arms race. Pope Leo XIV prayed that leaders of nations would receive the wisdom and courage needed to abandon projects that lead to destruction. He asked that governments place the protection of human life, especially the lives of the most vulnerable, at the center of their decisions.

The Pope expressed a particular hope that the nuclear threat will never again determine the future of humanity. His message urged world leaders to reconsider policies driven by military escalation and to pursue alternatives that prioritize peace and international cooperation.

In addition to addressing global political leaders, the Pope’s prayer also invited ordinary believers to participate in building peace in daily life. He prayed that the Holy Spirit would guide people to become faithful and creative builders of peace within families, neighborhoods, and cities. Small acts of kindness, gestures of reconciliation, and a commitment to dialogue were described as seeds that can help shape a more peaceful world.

The monthly prayer intention is shared globally through The Pope Video initiative, which is coordinated by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network. This international movement mobilizes Catholics to respond spiritually and practically to the challenges facing humanity and the mission of the Church.