Top photo caption: Priests from the Diocese extend their hands during the Eucharistic Prayer during the 2026 Mass of Chrism celebrated March 30 in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold. Pope Leo XIV has called upon the faithful to intentionally keep all priests in prayer. Mike Ehrmann photo
By Junno Arocho Esteves, OSV News
Pope Leo XIV has called on Catholics to pray for priests who find themselves in crisis and to “support those who so often support us.”
In his prayer intention for the month of April, the pope prayed for “those going through moments of crisis, when loneliness weighs heavily, when doubt clouds their hearts, and when exhaustion seems stronger than hope.”
A video of Pope Leo praying for priests was released March 31 by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network’s “Pray with the Pope.”
“You who know their struggles and wounds, renew in them the certainty of your unconditional love. Let them feel they are not mere functionaries or lonely heroes, but beloved sons, humble and cherished disciples, and pastors sustained by the prayer of their people,” he prayed.
The monthly intentions released by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, according to its website, are meant to “focus on the pressing challenges facing humanity and the Church.”
The pope also prayed so that Catholics can care for priests, especially “to listen without judging, to give thanks without demanding perfection, to share with them the baptismal mission of proclaiming the Kingdom in word and deed, and to accompany them with closeness and sincere prayer.”
“Holy Spirit, rekindle in our priests the joy of the Gospel. Grant them healthy friendships, networks of fraternal support, a sense of humor when things don’t go as expected, and the grace to always rediscover the beauty of their vocation. May they never lose trust in You, nor the joy of serving your Church with a humble and generous heart,” he prayed.
Jesuit Father Cristóbal Fones, director of the prayer network, said the prayer intention for priests in crisis is especially dear to the pope.
Pope Leo, he said, “is reminding us that we must fraternally support those who support others. I myself feel this very deeply for many fellow priests who are companions and friends who are going through difficult moments.”
“It is essential to remember how important human accompaniment, sincere friendship and, above all, prayer support are. Priests need to know that they are not alone,” Father Fones said in a statement accompanying the video.
In his first meeting with priests of the Diocese of Rome Feb. 19, Pope Leo encouraged priests, especially younger priests, “who often experience first-hand the potential and struggles of their generation and of this era.”
“In a more difficult and less rewarding social and ecclesial context, there is a risk of quickly exhausting one’s energy, accumulating frustration and falling into loneliness,” the pope said. “I urge you to be faithful every day in your relationship with the Lord and to work with enthusiasm even if you do not see the fruits of your apostolate right now.”
He also encouraged priests not to close themselves off and to “not be afraid to share your experiences, even your fatigue and your crises, especially with confreres who you believe can help you.”
“All of us, of course, are called to an attitude of listening and attention, through which we can live priestly fraternity in a concrete way. Let us accompany and support one another,” Pope Leo said.
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Junno Arocho Esteves is an international correspondent for OSV News.
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