Pope Leo concluded the Marian month of May with a brief reflection on unity in prayer, after leading the midday Angelus in St. Peter's Square. He also reiterated an intention for those in authority.
In this month of May, a united chorus of prayers for peace has resounded throughout the Church. Above all, through the prayer of the Holy Rosary – like an unbroken chain – the peoples ravaged by war have been entrusted to the intercession of the Virgin Mary. May Divine Wisdom enlighten the consciences of those in authority and guide their decisions toward a sincere search for a just and lasting peace.
Pope Leo led the Rosary for the intention of peace in the Lourdes Grotto of the Vatican Gardens on May 30. He prayed the Joyful Mysteries, each one with an intention related to peace.
He started the month on May 3 by saying: "I entrust my intentions to you," and naming two intentions in particular.
He noted how the Rosary gathers the faithful together in prayer, and he assured, "I entrust my intentions to you, particularly for communion within the Church and for peace in the world."
Pope Leo grew up seeing his parents pray the Rosary together every evening. Last October, his first Month of the Rosary as pope, he asked everyone to pray the Rosary every day for world peace.
He celebrated his first anniversary as pope -- on May 8 -- in Pompeii at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Pope Leo has repeatedly asked the Church to pray the Rosary, especially for peace.
