“This prayer is not something external to the evangelizing work of the Body of Christ, but an integral part of it”

01 February, 2026

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Exaudi Staff

Analysis

30 January, 2026

4 min

“This prayer is not something external to the evangelizing work of the Body of Christ, but an integral part of it”

Pope Leo XIV receives the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network and underscores the essential role of prayer in the mission of the Church, with a special call to involve young people

In an audience held this morning in the Hall of the Popes, Pope Leo XIV addressed the leaders and members of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, one of the largest intercessory networks of the Catholic Church, with tens of millions of faithful around the world.

The pontiff, the first American pope in history, elected on May 8, 2025, expressed his gratitude for the daily commitment of this network to disseminating and praying for the Pope’s monthly intentions. At the heart of his message, he emphasized that prayer for these intentions “is not something external to the evangelizing work of the Body of Christ, but an integral part of it,” making this statement the central focus of his address.

Leo XIV personally greeted the international director, Father Cristóbal Fones, SJ, the deputy director Bettina Raed and Father Miguel Melo, as well as the continental coordinators, members of the international office and ambassadors of the foundation that financially supports the mission.

The Holy Father highlighted the spirituality of this apostolate, “rooted in the Heart of Jesus,” which fosters a deeper knowledge of the Lord and greater compassion for those who suffer. He praised the formation program, The Way of the Heart, as a valuable guide for living this spirituality in daily life and helping the baptized to recognize themselves as “friends and apostles of Christ.”

One point particularly emphasized was the need to broaden participation in the network, uniting cultures, languages, and charisms in a common mission. The Pope insisted on inviting young people: “It is especially important to invite young people to take part so that they may form the next generation of intercessors for the needs of the whole world.” He recalled that many seek a deeper relationship with the Risen Jesus and pointed to the Eucharistic Youth Movement as a particularly fruitful path to achieving this.

At the conclusion, Leo XIV imparted his Apostolic Blessing to all those present, their families, and the members of the network worldwide. The meeting ended with the Lord’s Prayer and words of gratitude for their “service and commitment to this important ministry.”

This audience, in the eighth month of Leo XIV’s pontificate, reinforces his vision of prayer as a transformative element of personal and ecclesial life, in continuity with his predecessors, but with special attention to young people and the current challenges of humanity.

Full text of the speech of Pope Leo XIV

GREETING OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV
TO THE LEADERSHIP AND MEMBERS
OF THE POPE’S WORLDWIDE PRAYER NETWORK

Hall of Popes
Friday, 30 January 2026

______________________________

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Peace be with you!

Good morning and welcome to all of you. I am happy to meet with you and I thank you for your service to the people of God.

I cordially greet the International Director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network Foundation, Father Cristóbal Fones, as well as Mrs Bettina Raed and Father Miguel Melo, the Vice Directors. I also welcome all of you who are members of the International Office, Continental Coordinators, the Board of Directors, permanent partners, and, in a special way, the Ambassadors of the Foundation who support the stability and vitality of this mission with their generosity.

As you know, each month, after careful discernment, my predecessors and I have shared with you various intentions that touch upon the challenges facing humanity as well as the life and the mission of the Church. I am grateful for your efforts to disseminate them to the tens of millions of people in this worldwide network who each day present these needs before God. Such prayer is not external to the evangelical work of the Body of Christ, but an integral part of it.

The spirituality of your apostolate of prayer is rooted in the Heart of Jesus, which allows you to know our Lord more intimately and to be more compassionate and empathetic as you offer prayerful support for those in need. In this regard, your formation itinerary, The Way of the Heart, is a helpful guide for how to live out this spirituality in daily life. It is my hope that through your apostolate you will continue to help the baptized to understand that they are friends and apostles of Christ.

I likewise encourage you to foster an even greater participation in this Network, which unites diverse cultures, languages, and charisms in the common mission. It is especially important to invite young people to take part so that they may form the next generation of intercessors for the needs of the whole world. Since many of them are searching for a more profound and personal relationship with the Risen Jesus, your Eucharistic Youth Movement can be a particularly fruitful path to help them to grow in a deeper intimacy with our Lord.

Dear brothers and sisters, I warmly thank you for your efforts to promote prayer worldwide for the Pope’s intentions, and encourage you to continue on this path with a joyful spirit. I gladly impart my Apostolic Blessing, which I extend to your loved ones and to all the members of the Network.

Thank you.

Let us pray together as the Lord taught us,

Our Father…

Have a wonderful day. Thank you again for your service and your commitment to this important ministry. Thank you.

Exaudi Staff

What is Exaudi News? Exaudi News is an international Catholic media outlet that informs, shapes, and transforms daily in Spanish, English, and Italian. Through news, analytical articles, and live broadcasts of the Pope's events, Exaudi seeks to strengthen Christian unity and contribute to the evangelization of the world, always guided by the Church's social doctrine. We work to bring Christian truth and values to every corner of the planet. Help us transform the world with Exaudi! At Exaudi, we believe that evangelization and quality information can change lives. To continue our mission and expand our reach, we need your help. In addition, we are looking for committed people to join our team. With your support, we will reach more people, spread the message of Christ, and strengthen Christian unity. Will you join our mission? For more information on how to collaborate, visit Exaudi.org or contact us directly: [email protected] Exaudi: Informs, educates, and transforms.

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