Pope Leo in Lourdes: Pray Rosary in October for peace

By Devin Watkins Concluding Mass in Lourdes, on the third day of his Apostolic Journey to France, Pope Leo XIV launched an appeal that he said was “particularly close to my heart, here in this place.” Just as the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in the Grotto of Lourdes with a Rosary and guided her in prayer, the Pope said he hopes all Christians will pray the Rosary especially during the month of October. He called for them to pray the Rosary “with the particular intention that wars may cease and that peace may be established among peoples in conflict.” “Let us accompany this prayer with concrete acts of penance and mercy, committing ourselves always to fostering dialogue and reconciliation,” he said.