Pope urges Catholics to pray the rosary for global peace

Published: 2007-10-08

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI urged Catholics to pray the rosary for peace in the world. Speaking to pilgrims Oct. 7, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, the pope recalled that Marian apparitions at Fatima, Portugal, 90 years ago underlined the need to pray for the end of World War I. "We too want to welcome the maternal request of the Virgin, committing ourselves to reciting the rosary with faith for peace in families, among nations and throughout the world," he told several thousand people in St. Peter's Square. The pope, noting that October was dedicated in a special way to evangelization, said the rosary can stimulate missionary action by leading Christians to meditate on the life of Jesus. Every Christian is called to announce the Gospel through words and example, he said. "Announcing the Gospel remains the first service the church owes to humanity, in order to offer the salvation of Christ to the people of our time, who are humiliated and oppressed in so many ways," he said.

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