On the eve of the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, Pope Francis led a very large group of people in praying the Rosary for peace in the world. This day was chosen, because it was the vigil of the one-year anniversary of the invasion of Israel by Hamas.
Pope Francis sat before the ancient icon in the Borghese Chapel known as the Salus Popoli Romani (The Salvation of the Roman People). This chapel is in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. The Holy Father implored Our Lady, Queen of Peace, to “dispel the dark clouds of evil.” He then continued, “Mother, intercede for our world in danger, that it may protect life and reject war, care for the suffering, the poor, the defenseless, the sick and the afflicted, and guard our common home.
The Holy Father also asked for a global day of prayer and fasting on October 7 amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Pope Francis’ deep devotion to Our Blessed Mother has inspired him to ask us to appeal to her for peace. In October, the Month of the Holy Rosary, and all through the year, let us take up our rosary and ask the Queen of Peace to bring peace to her children throughout the world. After all, she encouraged the praying of the Rosary for peace in 1917 at Fatima, and she obtained that peace for God’s people.
Most Reverend William J. Waltersheid Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh