Pope Leo XIV is inviting Catholics around the world to unite in prayer throughout July with a special intention focused on the dignity and protection of every human life.
According to Vatican News, the Holy Father’s prayer intention for the month is “for respect for human life,” encouraging the faithful to recognize the inherent worth of every person from the beginning of life until natural death.
In the Pope’s monthly “Pray with the Pope” video, prepared by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, Pope Leo reflects on God’s loving creation of every individual and the call to safeguard each person’s dignity.
“Each person is a sacred gift that reflects your face,” the Pope prayed, “from the first instant of existence to the final breath of their journey on earth.”
He continued by asking God to help humanity better recognize the value of every person.
“Today, we ask for the grace to recognize and protect the unique and unrepeatable value of every human being.”
According to Vatican News, Pope Leo also prayed that Christians would embrace life without conditions, care compassionately for those who are vulnerable, and defend those who cannot defend themselves.
The Holy Father acknowledged the temptation toward indifference and what he described as a “culture of discard,” asking God’s forgiveness whenever people fail to recognize the dignity of others.
“Give us a new heart, always ready to choose life,” he prayed, “and generous hands that protect it through concrete actions.”
Pope Leo also turned his attention to the Church itself, praying that Catholic communities become places where every person is welcomed and valued.
According to Vatican News, he asked that the Church become “a living witness of the Gospel of life,” describing it as “an open home where every life is celebrated, where no one feels unwanted, and where dignity is always honored and protected.”
The Pope concluded his prayer by asking Jesus to teach Christians to love every human life with the same faithful and self-giving love shown by Christ Himself.
“May we proclaim, in words and actions,” Pope Leo prayed, “that every human life is worth the total gift of ourselves.”
According to Vatican News, the monthly prayer intentions are promoted through the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, a Pontifical Work of the Catholic Church founded in 1844 as the Apostleship of Prayer. Today, the network is active in more than 92 countries and brings together more than 22 million people in prayer for the needs of the Church and the world.
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