Pope Francis thanks Worldwide Prayer Network

Feb 23, 2024

ROME: Pope Francis welcomed members of the international team and the Board of Directors of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, along with collaborators from the foundation “Pro Rete Mondiale di Preghiera del Papa,” in a special audience at the Vatican recently.

Fr Alberto I David, SJ, the regional coordinator of ‘The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei’ attended the five-day gathering which served as an opportunity for the international team to assess the progress of their mission. Fr Alberto is the recently appointed editor for SHALOM, the monthly prayer booklet, taking over from Fr Lawrence Andrew, SJ.

Discussions centred around updates on key projects such as The Pope’s Video and Click To Pray, as well as the spiritual framework known as ‘The Way of the Heart’. These initiatives aim to engage individuals in compassionate prayer for global challenges and the Church’s mission, as expressed through the Pope’s prayer intentions.

Addressing the audience in the Sala dei Papi of the Palazzo Apostolico, Pope Francis expressed gratitude for their dedication, emphasising the vital role of prayer in ecclesial endeavours. He underscored that prayer is not merely an accessory to action, but rather, its foundational element, essential for imbuing apostolic work with meaning.

Reflecting on the biblical admonition regarding the importance of prayer for bishops, Pope Francis emphasised that prayer is the primary duty of all Christians. He cautioned against the risk of secularisation or politicisation when prayer is neglected in the life of the Church.

In his closing remarks, Pope Francis thanked the attendees for their contributions to nurturing a culture of prayer among both laity and clergy, acknowledging the crucial role they play in sustaining the spiritual dimension of the Church’s mission.

The audience concluded with a renewed commitment to advancing the mission of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, inspired by the Holy Father’s words of encouragement and guidance.