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Each year, the Holy Father invites Catholics around the world to pray together in a focused and intentional way through his monthly prayer intentions. These intentions gently draw our hearts outward—toward the needs of the Church, the struggles of the world, and the people who are often overlooked or unheard.
As we move through 2026, these monthly intentions offer us a simple but powerful rhythm of prayer. Whether you follow them closely, return to them when you can, or simply let them shape your awareness of the world, they remind us that prayer is not meant to be isolated or abstract. It is meant to be lived—woven into our daily routines, our family life, and our concern for others.
Want to pray along with Pope Leo? Check the video below!
Pray with the Pope is a global initiative of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network. Here the Holy Father shares his monthly prayer intention with an invitation to pray through video and audio versions of Pope Leo in prayer.
This can help you stay connected with our Holy Father and the Church’s mission around the world. It takes only a few minutes to join in.
Below you’ll find the Pope’s monthly prayer intentions for 2026:
January
For prayer with the Word of God
Let us pray that praying with the Word of God be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us to build a more fraternal and missionary Church.
February
For children with incurable diseases
Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope.
March
For disarmament and peace
Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence.
April
For priests in crisis
Let us pray for priests going through moments of crisis in their vocation, that they may find the accompaniment they need and that communities may support them with understanding and prayer.
May
That everyone might have food
Let us pray that everyone, from large producers to small consumers, be committed to avoid wasting food, and to ensure that everyone has access to quality food.
June
For the values of sports
Let us pray that sports be an instrument of peace, encounter, and dialogue among cultures and nations, and that they promote values such as respect, solidarity, and personal growth.
July
For respect for human life
Let us pray for the respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognizing it as a gift from God.
August
For evangelization in the city
Let us pray that in large cities often marked by anonymity and loneliness we find new ways to proclaim the Gospel, discovering creative paths to build community.
September
For the care of water
Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.
October
For mental health ministry
Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.
November
For the proper use of wealth
Let us pray for the proper use of wealth, that not succumbing to the temptation of selfishness, it may always be put at the service the common good and solidarity of those who have less.
December
For single-parent families
Let us pray for families experiencing the absence of a mother or father, that they may find support and accompaniment in the Church, and help and strength in the Faith during difficult times.
Praying with the Pope’s monthly intentions is a quiet way to stay connected to the wider Church and to remember that our personal prayers are part of something much larger. Even when life feels busy, heavy, or ordinary, these intentions help anchor our prayer in compassion, solidarity, and hope.
You don’t need to pray perfectly or consistently for this to matter. A brief prayer, a moment of reflection, or simply holding an intention in your heart is enough. As you move through 2026, may these intentions gently guide your prayers and remind you that every small offering of prayer participates in God’s work in the world.
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