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Archbishop John calls on us to pray for Pope Leo XIV and for peace

Archbishop John Wilson has encouraged us all to pray for Pope Leo XIV. Our Holy Father has been courageously advocating for peace, stating clearly that the message of the Gospel cannot be "abused" and that he "will continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote peace".

In a statement of support and solidarity for our Holy Father and his courageousness in promoting peace, Archbishop John said:

“Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV is showing the world that in the face of war, God demands peace. As Pope Leo has made clear, we cannot stand by and allow the message of the Gospel to be abused.

“As bishops, we are not politicians, nor statesmen, nor do we pretend to have all the answers. But as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we know that each of us is called to be a beacon of His peace. We know that in the face of war, where so many innocent lives will be lost, we must be clear that God demands peace.

“Please join me in praying for peace and for Pope Leo XIV. May we all be as courageous as our Holy Father in proclaiming the truth that God demands peace”.

Archbishop John has also encouraged us to pray the following prayer for our Holy Father and for peace.

Prayer for Pope Leo XIV

V. Let us pray for Leo XIV, our Pope.

R. May the Lord preserve him, and give him life,

and make him blessed upon the earth,

and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies.

 

Our Father, Who art in heaven,

hallowed be Thy Name;

Thy kingdom come;

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Amen

 

Hail Mary, full of grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women,

And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners,

Now and at the hour of our death.

Amen

 

O God, shepherd and ruler of all the faithful,

look favorably on your servant Leo XIV,

whom you have set at the head of your Church as her shepherd;

grant, we pray, that by word and example

he may be of service to those over whom he presides so that,

together with the flock entrusted to his care,

he may come to everlasting life.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen