Pope Francis’ Prayer for Peace and
Protection from Violence and from Terrorism
O almighty and merciful God, Lord of the universe and
of history, all that You have created is good and Your
compassion for the mistakes of mankind knows no limits.
We come to You today to ask You to keep in peace
the world and its people, to keep far away from it
the devastating wave of terrorism, to restore friendship
and instill in the hearts of Your creatures the gift
of trust and of readiness to forgive.
O Giver of Life, we pray to You also for all those who
have died as victims of brutal terrorist attacks. Grant
them their eternal reward. May they intercede for
the world that is torn apart by conflicts and
disagreements.
O Jesus, Prince of Peace, we pray to You for the
ones who have been wounded in these acts of
inhuman violence: children and young people, old
people and innocent people accidentally involved
in evil. Heal their bodies and hearts; console them
with Your strength and, at the same time, take
away any hatred and a desire for revenge.
Holy Spirit Consoler, visit the families of the victims
of terrorism, families that suffer through no fault of their
own. Wrap them in the mantle of Your divine mercy.
Make them find again in You and in themselves
the strength and courage to continue to be brothers
and sisters for others, above all for immigrants, giving
witness to Your love by their lives.
Touch the hearts of terrorists so that they may
recognize the evil of their actions and may turn to the
way of peace and goodness, of respect for the life and
for the dignity of every human being, regardless of religion,
origin, wealth or poverty.
O God, Eternal Father, in Your mercy hear our prayer
which we raise up to You amidst the deafening noise
and desperation of the world. We turn to You with great
hope, full of trust in Your infinite Mercy.
Made strong by the examples of the blessed martyrs
of Perú, Zbigniew and Michael, who have rendered
courageous testimony to the Gospel, to the point of
offering their blood. We entrust ourselves to the
intercession of Your Most Holy Mother. We ask for
the gift of peace and of the elimination from our
midst of the sore of terrorism.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pope Francis, Prayer during visit to Basilica
of St. Francis for XXXI World Youth Day, Poland, 7/30/16