The Pope, as our father in the faith, never ceases to encourage us to pray for those who are most in need in our time — the people who are suffering the effects of the many wars around the world, the hundreds of persecuted Christians in Niger and Nigeria, the thousands of people who have to leave their land as refugees every year, and many others. He also reminds us to pray for those close to us, our relatives, parents, grandparents, neighbours.
It is true that the Pope has great confidence in the power of prayer. And so, he often reminds us to pray for him. His mission is a great one. Greater than what a single human could ever begin, let alone continue day after day. Therefore, after most of his speeches, he always ends with a sincere request to pray for him. Therefore, it is good to find time in our day, perhaps at the end of the rosary or at some other time, to pray for him, so that the Lord God will continue to enlighten him and help him bring his light to a world that sometimes seems conquered by darkness.
Lord God, O Father, true farmer of the Christian vine, keep your hand on the man on your right hand, the visible head of the Church, and comfort his heart, by uniting all people, for whom Christ your Son shed his blood, with him in faith and obedience. And to certainly earn this grace from you, we offer you the wounds of your Son Christ Jesus, who merited your grace for all mankind. Amen.
