The Pope calls a Rosary for peace on October 11, in a special celebration that promises to gather thousands of faithful in St. Peter’s Square, Rome.
The month of October, traditionally dedicated to the Holy Rosary, takes on even greater prominence this year with the prayer initiative led by the Pontiff. The moment will be broadcast live and will feature the original image of Our Lady of Fatima, brought from Portugal especially for the occasion.
Quick summary
- 📅 Date: October 11
- 📍 Location: St. Peter’s Square, Vatican
- 🙏 Purpose: Rosary prayer for peace
- 🌍 Broadcast: live, with commentary in Portuguese
- ✨ Highlight: presence of the original image of Our Lady of Fatima
October, the month of the Rosary
In Catholic tradition, October is a month especially dedicated to the Holy Rosary. Throughout history, popes and saints have encouraged praying the rosary as a spiritual weapon against conflicts and difficulties. This year, the invitation gains new meaning in the face of wars and tensions that mark the global scene.
The Pope asked the faithful to pray the Rosary every day in October, whether personally, as a family, or in community. In addition, Vatican employees were invited to pray daily at 7:00 p.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica.
The big moment: October 11
The peak of the initiative will be on Saturday, October 11, at 6:00 p.m. (local time), when the Pope will lead the prayer in St. Peter’s Square. The date is full of symbolism:
Memorial of Saint John XXIII
- On this same day, the Church remembers Saint John XXIII, the Pope of the encyclical Pacem in Terris.
- He is also remembered for his appeal for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, when he asked the leaders of the superpowers to avoid war.
Opening of the Second Vatican Council
- On October 11, 1962, John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council, a historic milestone of the Catholic Church.
- At the end of that day, he delivered the famous “moon speech,” moving the faithful with words of tenderness and hope.
The image of Our Lady of Fatima
During the vigil, the faithful will be able to venerate the original image of Our Lady of Fatima, brought from the Sanctuary in Portugal. This will be the fourth time the statue leaves Fatima to go to Rome.
✦ 1984 – Extraordinary Jubilee of the Redemption
✦ 2000 – Great Jubilee
✦ 2013 – Year of Faith with Pope Francis
✦ 2025 – Vigil of the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality
The image, created in 1920 by Portuguese artist José Ferreira Thedim, has become a symbol of hope and Marian consecration.
The Pope’s invitation to the world
In his messages during the General Audience, the Pope emphasized the need to transform a world marked by hatred and violence into a space of reconciliation. He asked especially young people, students, and families to be bearers of peace through prayer.
The power of the Rosary as a prayer for peace
A tradition that spans centuries
The Rosary has always been linked to the quest for peace. When the Pope calls a rosary for peace on October 11, he renews a devotion that has transformed moments of great tension in the history of the Church.
The Battle of Lepanto (1571)
One of the best-known examples is the Battle of Lepanto.
✦ Pope Pius V asked Christians to pray the Rosary in the face of the Ottoman threat.
✦ The unexpected victory was attributed to the intercession of Our Lady.
✦ Since then, October has been considered the month of the Rosary.
The Rosary in the modern era
Centuries later, John Paul II also turned to the Rosary in times of crisis.
- He encouraged prayer for peace during the Cold War.
- He consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
- He made Marian devotion a hallmark of his pontificate.
A prayer of unity
More than repetition, the Rosary is contemplation and supplication.
- Each mystery recalls the life of Christ.
- The prayer unites families, communities, and peoples.
- It is a source of inner peace and hope in the face of wars.
The Pope’s current invitation
The call for a rosary for peace is not just a symbolic gesture. It reinforces faith in the power of prayer and invites the whole world to unite around the same request: true and lasting peace.
Conclusion
The Pope calls a rosary for peace on October 11 as a moment of global unity through the prayer of the Rosary. More than a tradition, it is a call to faith and hope in the face of today’s uncertainties. The presence of the image of Our Lady of Fatima and the remembrance of Saint John XXIII make the date historic, linking past and present in the same plea: that humanity may rediscover the path of peace.
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Reference: Vatican News – Pope Leo XIV calls a rosary for peace on October 11
