Pope Leo proposes a prayer to St. Francis of Assisi

Published by CN Admin at January 13, 2026

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Leo sees the saint as a man “at peace with himself” and therefore capable of bringing peace to his contemporaries, and to us.

Saint Francis of Assisi “continues to speak” in our time, Pope Leo XIV affirmed in a letter addressed to the Franciscan Family Conference ahead of the 800th anniversary of their founder’s death, published on January 10, 2026.

The Holy Father emphasizes the enduring relevance of the Italian saint, who died on October 3, 1226. For him, peace “encompasses all creation.”

Pope Leo offered the example of St. Francis to the entire world on January 9, concluding his speech to the diplomats accredited to the Holy See with a reference to the saint’s testimony.

In his letter to the Franciscan Family Conference, dated January 7, the Pope recalls how the saint of Assisi addresses “our sister death” in the Canticle of the Creatures, a long contemplative prayer written shortly before his death.

Leo sees this as a sign of a man “at peace with himself” and therefore capable of bringing peace to his contemporaries.

“In this era marked by so many seemingly endless wars, by internal and social divisions that breed mistrust and fear,” St. Francis of Assisi “continues to speak,” reflected Leo XIV.

The Poverello, according to him, certainly does not offer “technical solutions,” but his life “points to the authentic source of peace.”

A peace for all of creation

The Pope notes how the “Franciscan vision of peace” is not limited to man, but “encompasses all of creation.”

“This intuition resonates with particular urgency in our time, when our common home is threatened and groans under exploitation,” he said.

“May the example and spiritual legacy of this saint, strong in faith, firm in hope, and ardent in active charity toward his neighbor, inspire in each of us the importance of trusting in the Lord and spending ourselves in a life faithful to the Gospel,” the pontiff invites.

He also offered a prayer on the occasion of this year of commemoration (translated from the Italian by Aleteia):

Saint Francis, our brother, you who, 800 years ago,
went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace,
intercede for us with the Lord.

You who recognized true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano,
teach us to seek in Him the source of all reconciliation
that breaks down all walls.

You who, unarmed, crossed the lines of war
and misunderstanding,
give us the courage to build bridges
where the world erects borders.

In this age marked by conflict and division,
intercede for us that we may become artisans of peace:
unarmed and disarming witnesses to the peace that comes from Christ.

Amen.

The Franciscan family has three traditional orders: the first includes the Friars Minor, the Conventuals, and the Capuchins; the second includes the Poor Clares and all the female congregations attached to the spirituality of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi; and finally the “third order,” a pious association of lay people, and all the religious organizations of lay people who follow in the footsteps of the saint of Umbria.

Originally posted on Aleteia