Pope Leo XIV’s prayer for the month of April is aimed at priests in crisis.
In a video released on X, the Holy Father asked the faithful a question: “Have you ever been in crisis?”
“In moments of fragility, it is so important that we are there for each other,” he said. “This April, I invite you to join me in praying for priests going through moments of crisis in their vocations, that they may find support and that the community may support them with understanding and prayer.”
In the full video, shared on the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network website, Pope Leo recites an original prayer written specifically for this month’s prayer intentions.
Lord Jesus,
Good shepherd and traveling companion,
Today we entrust all priests into your hands,
Especially those who are going through moments of crisis,
When loneliness weighs heavily,
When doubt clouds their hearts,
And when exhaustion seems stronger than hope.
You who know their struggles and wounds,
Renew in them the certainty of your selfless love.
Let them feel that they are not mere functionaries or lone heroes,
But dear son, humble and beloved disciple,
And the pastor was sustained by the prayers of his people.
good father,
Teach us as a community to care for our priests:
listening without criticism,
To give thanks without demanding perfection,
To share with them the baptismal mission
Proclaiming the kingdom by word and deed,
And to accompany them with closeness and sincere prayer.
May we support those who often support us.
holy spirit,
Rekindle the joy of the Gospel in our priests.
Provide them with a network of healthy friendships, brotherly support,
A sense of humor when things don’t go as expected,
And the grace to always rediscover the beauty of their vocation.
May they never lose faith in you,
Nor the joy of serving one’s church with a humble and generous heart.
Amen.
“Pray with the Pope” is available on the Pope’s worldwide prayer network website and its digital platforms.
