In times of conflict, pray this prayer to St. Francis by Pope Leo - TrentonMonitor
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20260302T1315 ST FRANCIS PRAYER POST 1814457
Pope Leo XIV prays as Norwegian Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim leads the final day of the Roman Curia's annual Lenten retreat in the Pauline Chapel at the Vatican Feb. 27, 2026. (OSV News photo/Simone Risoluti, Vatican Media)

In times of conflict, pray this prayer to St. Francis by Pope Leo

By OSV News

OSV News – As tensions escalate following the Feb. 28 U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, we share this prayer to St. Francis of Assisi – a timeless intercessor for peace – which Pope Leo XIV shared with leaders of the Franciscan order on the beginning of the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death in January 2026.

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Pope Leo XIV shared this prayer to St. Francis with leaders of the Franciscan order on the beginning of the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death in January 2026. (OSV News graphic/Megan Marley)

Saint Francis, our brother, you who eight hundred years ago went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace, intercede for us before the Lord.

You recognized true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano, teach us to seek in him the source of all reconciliation that breaks down every wall.

You who, unarmed, crossed the lines of war and misunderstanding, give us the courage to build bridges where the world raises up boundaries.

In this time afflicted by conflict and division, intercede for us so that we may become peacemakers: unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace that comes from Christ.

Amen.

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