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Pope Leo’s March 2026 Prayer Intention

Every month, the Holy Father invites the faithful to pray for a particular intention, uniting Catholics around the world in a shared mission of intercession.

Vatican City, March 2026 — Pope Leo XIV’s monthly intention for March 2026 is a timely call for the Church to intercede for disarmament and peace around the world. The pope asks Catholics to pray and do their part so that hearts might be converted and the world would see courageous efforts towards less violence and more peace.

 

 

Called to Communion, Not Conflict 

This month, Pope Leo invites all of us, the Christian faithful, to return to our true identity. Echoing Genesis, he reminds us that we were made in the divine image and likeness, created for communion and fraternity, not war and destruction. We are called to be the image of God on earth through our charity and unity, continuing the peace that Christ came to give. The pope’s intention is an opportunity to ask the Lord to “grant us the gift of [his] peace and the strength to make it a reality in history.”  

A Prayer for Reconciliation and Restoration

The Pope’s prayer for March asks the Lord to help us to not only put aside physical weapons in situations of warfare but also to overcome aggression in our hearts. When our hearts are disarmed of hostility, indifference, and resentment, we can be “instruments of reconciliation” to help restore a deeply divided world.

By speaking about the importance of restoring peace in our own hearts, Pope Leo offers us a timely reminder that real security is found in faith in God, not in “control fueled by fear,” which so easily leads to violence.

Lifting Up Leaders Worldwide 

Pope Leo includes the leaders of nations in his intention, asking the Lord to direct their influence over situations of harmony and hostility. Mentioning how gravely nuclear warfare endangers the future of humanity, the pope prays for all officials to “have the courage to abandon projects of death” and instead prioritize the preciousness of human persons, especially those who are most vulnerable. 

The Pope Reminds Us To Be Peacemakers

Pope Leo closes his reflection with the reminder that we, too, play a part in restoring harmony and amity in the world today. We are called to be peacemakers. 

The pope reminds us that stability and serenity begin quite close to us: “in our hearts, our families, our communities, and our cities.” Although the larger global situation is important, the words we speak, our willingness to forgive, and our openness to dialogue also help achieve a world of unity and accord. 

An important Scriptural symbol of peace appears in the Vatican’s video of the pope’s March intention: the olive tree. An olive branch rests on the pope’s chapel kneeler, and he picks it up to hold it contemplatively in his hands while praying. This symbolism is fitting for the pope’s intention during March, while the Church commemorates Christ’s passion during Lent. Jesus experienced his agony in a garden of olives before he died on the wood of a tree, restoring true peace so that sin would no longer divide us from God.  

Pope Leo’s Prayer for Disarmament and Peace

Lord of Life, you shaped every human being in your image and likeness. We believe you created us for communion, not for war, for fraternity, not for destruction.

You who greeted your disciples saying, “Peace be with you,” grant us the gift of your peace and the strength to make it a reality in history. Today we lift up our prayer for peace in the world, asking that nations renounce weapons and choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy.

Disarm our hearts of hatred, resentment, and indifference, so we may become instruments of reconciliation. Help us understand that true security does not come from control fueled by fear, but from trust, justice, and solidarity among peoples.

Lord, enlighten the leaders of the nations, so they may have the courage to abandon projects of death, halt the arms race, and place the lives of the most vulnerable at the center. May the nuclear threat never again dictate the future of humanity.

Holy Spirit, make us faithful and creative builders of daily peace: in our hearts, our families, our communities, and our cities. May every kind word, every gesture of reconciliation, and every choice for dialogue be seeds of a new world.

Amen.