Fátima pilgrims prayed for peace in unity with Pope Leo XIV

Fátima pilgrims prayed for peace in unity with Pope Leo XIV

At the conclusion of the Rosary recitation, the Holy Father addressed the faithful with an appeal to end all forms of violence. “God is looking for peacemakers,” he emphasized.

This Saturday, more than 1,500 pilgrims joined Pope Leo XIV in prayer from the Chapel of the Apparitions at the Shrine of Fátima.

The “Rosary for Peace” initiative, launched by the Holy Father, united 19 Marian shrines in prayer across countries as far-reaching as the United States, the Philippines, Iraq, Lebanon, Nigeria, Mexico, Ukraine, Poland, and Ireland, among others.

At the end of the Rosary, Pope Leo XIV delivered an address focused on the need to build peace through listening to God and the conversion of the heart. Inspired by the words of Psalm 85—“He promises peace to his people, his faithful servants”—the Pontiff stressed the need to listen to the Word of God to understand the difficulties and violence of the present time in the light of divine providence.

Pope Leo XIV presented the Virgin Mary as a model of listening and obedience, highlighting that contemplating the mysteries of the Rosary leads believers to recognize Jesus Christ as “the single, definitive Word” spoken by the Father, a word of peace addressed to all who return to God with trust.

“Peace is not a theory to be tested in a laboratory, nor a naive illusion, nor a business to be managed for self-interest,” he stated. According to the Pope, true peace becomes a reality when it is sought with sincerity and translated into concrete actions of justice, love, and reconciliation.

In his reflection, the Holy Father remembered the victims of armed conflicts and humanitarian crises, referring to the “innocent children, anxious mothers and fathers, mistreated prisoners, refugees, and suffering people of all ages,” who have only one word on their lips: peace.

Pope Leo XIV also called for the abandonment of all forms of violence, including verbal violence, urging Christians to be peacemakers in their family, community, and social relationships. “Everyone can and must do their part, starting with small but important things,” he said.

“God is looking for peacemakers,” the Holy Father said, asking for the Blessed Mother's intercession in Christians' daily commitment to respond to this call “not with words, but with deeds.”

The celebration at the Chapel of the Apparitions was presided over by Bishop José Ornelas of Leiria-Fátima and broadcast live on Canção Nova TV and Radio, Rádio Renascença, and Radio Maria. It was also available to watch via the Shrine’s digital channels on Facebook and YouTube.