"For mutual coexistence" is Pope Leo's August prayer intention, and in this month's Pope Video, he is filmed for the first time.
For the Pope's monthly prayer intention in August, illustrated by The Pope Video, Pope Leo invites the faithful to join him in praying “For mutual coexistence.”
He asks the faithful to pray “that societies where coexistence seems more difficult might not succumb to the temptation of confrontation for ethnic, political, religious or ideological reasons.”
The new pope has taken up the torch from Francis, who inaugurated these video series in 2016. This month is the first time that Pope Leo was filmed for the video; in previous videos since his May election, we just heard him speak.
In the video produced this month in collaboration with Jesuit Communications Foundation (JesCom), Pope Leo XIV recites a prayer composed specifically for this August intention by his Worldwide Prayer Network.
The images that accompany his words create a montage of the divisions present in the world: wars, confrontation and violence that cause destruction, force people to flee their own land, and contribute to existential loneliness.
There is, however, a final message of hope entrusted to young people, who are celebrating the Jubilee of Youth as the month of August begins.
In fact, hope for a better future depends on young people knowing how to build fraternal communities, are welcoming of one another and their differences, and who open their hearts and place themselves at the service of others.
Respectful and compassionate coexistence
The Pope’s prayer describes what is actually happening:
“We live in times of fear and division. Sometimes we act as if we were alone, building walls that separate us from one another.”
We only need to glance at the news on any given day to confirm that in addition to international conflicts, numerous conflicts are originating within communities because of the exacerbation of political, religious, ethnic, and other types of differences.
At the root of this phenomenon is the disregard of a fundamental truth: that we are all brothers and sisters, children of the same Father.
And so, the Pope continues, “Send us Your Spirit, Lord, to rekindle within us the desire to understand one another, to listen, to live together with respect and compassion.”
To overcome differences in ideologies, it is precisely looking at others “through the eyes of the heart” that allows us to recognize the inviolable dignity of every person and to have the courage to “seek paths of dialogue, to respond to conflict with gestures of fraternity.”
Openness to others without being afraid of their differences allows us to discover that they are not threats but “a richness that makes us human.”
This month, The Pope Video is possible thanks to the help of Jesuit Communications Foundation (JesCom). It is produced thanks to the generous contributions of many people. You can donate by following this link.
