International Prayer Vigil for Peace
Saturday, April 11, 2026 – St Peter’s Basilica
6 PM (Rome)
Pope Leo XIV has invited all people around the world to join him in praying for peace on Saturday, April 11, at 6pm (Rome time). The Prayer Vigil for Peace will be held in St. Peter’s Basilica, but everyone can participate via Vatican Communications (vatican.va)
The pope and various Catholic organizations as well as individuals have expressed grave concern that the war between the US/Israel and Iran is not only causing massive suffering and death but that the war is unjust.
In his Easter Sunday message, the pope highlighted that Jesus walked the path of dialogue and that the power with which Christ rose is entirely nonviolent— rejecting revenge, choosing compassion, praying for one another and seeking the common good rather than private interests.
“Let those who have weapons lay them down! Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace. Not a peace imposed by force but through dialogue! Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them! We are growing accustomed to violence . . . and becoming indifferent . . . The peace that Christ gives us is not merely the silence of weapons, but the peace that touches and transforms the heart of each of us!” (Leo XIV)
