By Deborah Castellano Lubov
Pope Leo XIV’s monthly prayer intention for November is “for the prevention of suicide.”
The Pope invited the Church to pray for this intention in this month’s The Pope Video, which is entrusted to the entire Catholic Church through the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network. The video is produced and distributed by the Network with the support of the U.S. Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona, and in collaboration with Vatican Media.
Accompanying those struggling
Specifically, the video opens with the Pope inviting faithful to join him in praying that “those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts might find the support, care, and love they need in their community, and be open to the beauty of life.”
Pope Leo begins his prayer by asking the Lord, who invites “the weary and burdened” to come to Him and to find rest in His heart, to accompany “all the people who live in darkness and despair, especially those struggling with suicidal thoughts.”
“May they always,” the Holy Father continued, “find a community that welcomes them, listens to them, and accompanies them.”
He prayed the Lord give us all “an attentive and compassionate heart,” “capable of offering comfort and support, also with the necessary professional help.”
Offering tenderness to all vulnerable
“May we know,” the Pope said, “how to be close with respect and tenderness, helping to heal wounds, build bonds, and open horizons.”
In this context, Pope Leo prayed, “Together may we rediscover that life is a gift, that there is still beauty and meaning, even in the midst of pain and suffering.”
No one is immune
The Holy Father also clearly acknowledged that arriving in such a dark place can affect anyone, pointing out that even those who follow Jesus are “vulnerable to sadness without hope.”
Pope Leo concluded by praying, “We ask You to always make us feel Your love so that, through Your closeness to us, we can recognize and proclaim to all the infinite love of the Father who leads us by the hand to renew our trust in the life You give us. Amen.”
The Pope Video
The Pope Video is an official global initiative with the purpose of disseminating the Holy Father’s monthly prayer intentions. It is carried out by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (Apostleship of Prayer).
Since 2016, The Pope Video has had more than 247 million views across all the Vatican’s social networks, and is translated into more than 23 languages, receiving press coverage in 114 countries.
This video, produced by The Pope Video Prayer Network team, coordinated by Andrea Sarubbi, and created with the help of Coronation Media, is distributed with the help of the La Machi agency and the collaboration of Vatican Media.
The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network is a Pontifical Society, with the mission of mobilizing Catholics through prayer and action in response to the challenges facing humanity and the mission of the Church.
According to the World Health Organization, around 720 thousand people take their own lives each year. Over half of all suicides occur prior to the age of 50. – Vatican News
