We have begun the month of October, the month associated with devotion to and the Marian prayer of the Rosary—a prayer through which we contemplate the mystery of Christ through the eyes of His Mother and our Mother, Mary. During the general audience on Wednesday, 24 September 2025, Pope Leo XIV invited Catholic Christians to pray the Rosary daily throughout this month—personally, with the family, and in community—and to offer it for peace in the world.
Undoubtedly, what comes to mind immediately is the genocide currently taking place in the Gaza Strip and, in a more subtle way, the seizure of control of the other Palestinian territory stretching from the east of Jerusalem to the Jordan River. We also think of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has now lasted for more than three years.
This topic is also being discussed at present during the 80th General Assembly of the United Nations. These two wars—especially the one currently afflicting the Palestinian people—are receiving particular attention. But what struck me most was the speech by the representative of the Holy See, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations within the Secretariat of State. His words closely align with the Pope’s appeal to pray the Rosary for peace throughout October.
What touched me most about Archbishop Gallagher’s speech wasn’t any emotional or impassioned tone. It was the way this English prelate, in the context of wars waged under the pretext of religion, unequivocally recalled the first words spoken by Pope Leo XIV to the city and to the world following his election:
“Peace be with you all! … A peace without weapons, a peace that disarms—humble and persevering.” Peace is not achieved when you have destroyed your enemy, as we are witnessing in the two conflicts mentioned earlier, but rather when we allow love to take hold of us and bring us face to face as human beings, vulnerable as we are. In a world that is increasingly fragmented, we must remember that peace is
an active and demanding gift. It engages and challenges each of us, regardless of our cultural background or religious affiliation, demanding first of all that we work on ourselves. Peace is built in the heart and from the heart, by eliminating pride and vindictiveness and carefully choosing our words. For words too, not only weapons, can wound and even kill.
Leo XIV, Address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, 16 May 2025
But what most moved me in the speech by the Holy See’s representative was precisely the universal—truly Catholic—gaze at the state of peace, development, and human rights. He did not focus solely on what everyone is already talking about. Instead, he reminded the world of many ongoing conflicts in various regions, which, at least in the West, we have all but forgotten or are ignoring—simply because they are not close to us.
Throughout his address, Gallagher reminded us that over 360 million Christians live in areas where they are persecuted or discriminated against for their faith. He spoke about the trampling of human dignity and fundamental rights as a widespread phenomenon. He highlighted the commitment to eradicating poverty and hunger, the need for debt relief for countries weighed down by underdevelopment, the care of creation and the climate crisis caused by humanity, the phenomenon of migration and refugees, the rights of workers, the protection of the family—and he also warned of the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. All of these are necessary for there to be true peace.
And, if that general overview wasn’t enough, Gallagher even mentioned specific situations in particular countries and regions. Beyond Ukraine and the Holy Land, he mentioned the entire Middle East and Syria. He referenced several African nations plagued by instability, including the Sub-Saharan region, Cabo Delgado, the Horn of Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and South Sudan. He listed various issues such as drug trafficking in Latin America, conflicts in the Caribbean, Haiti, and Nicaragua. He then turned to the Asian continent and spoke about the situation in Myanmar and the human trafficking happening along its borders with Thailand, China, Cambodia, and Laos. His wide-reaching summary closed the loop by returning to where it all began, discussing recent developments in the Balkans and the road ahead for fuller reconciliation between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
When you see such an exhaustive list, you can’t help but feel struck. And surely, we need to pray for peace! Surely, not just one Rosary, but even two or three are needed in the face of this global scenario! But we believe in a God who is faithful to His children, and in this month we place ourselves—and the world—under the maternal protection of the Mother of the One who died precisely to reconcile humanity with God. May this truly Catholic and universal vision of the world move us not only to not lose heart, but to pray even more, and to let our hearts be touched, not just by the desire for peace, but by the suffering of so many people, following in the footsteps of Christ and His Mother who stood at the foot of His Cross and and stands under every cross borne by humanity.