#Vatican – On Saturday, May 30, 2026, Pope Leo XIV presided over a worldwide Rosary for Peace from the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens, drawing Catholics together in a unified call for an end to global conflicts as the Church concluded its traditional month of Marian devotion.
The event, organized by the Dicastery for Evangelization, united major Marian shrines across continents in simultaneous prayer. Participants joined via livestream from locations including the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Fátima, Portugal, the Shrine of Our Lady Queen of Peace in Medjugorje, and sites in Ukraine, the Philippines, France, Lebanon, and Italy.
The Holy Father led the recitation of the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary starting at 7 p.m. local time. Each decade focused on those affected by war and violence, entrusting them to the intercession of Mary, Queen of Peace. Intentions included prayers for victims of conflict (especially the vulnerable), messengers of hope and faith, humanitarian aid workers and medical personnel, families displaced by violence, and efforts toward reconciliation and justice.
In remarks during the gathering, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the need for active peacemaking in daily life, rejecting violence in all forms and promoting justice over power. The initiative aligned with his repeated appeals for an “unarmed and disarming” peace amid ongoing international tensions.
Thousands participated in person at the Vatican and connected remotely, turning the evening into a powerful demonstration of global Catholic unity in prayer. Vatican News and various Catholic outlets provided live coverage, amplifying the event’s reach to millions.
The Rosary for Peace capped a day that also included an audience with members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, highlighting the Pope’s focus on both spiritual renewal and urgent global concerns.
Image: The Rosary for Peace in the Vatican Gardens on May 30th, 2026.
