As Pope Leo XIV intensifies his appeals for peace amid conflicts and humanitarian crises around the world, a Philippine bishop on Monday urged Catholics to pray for the pontiff as he leads the Church through growing global challenges.
Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista of Imus made the appeal during the “Pope’s Day Mass” at the Manila Cathedral on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, a feast honoring the two apostles regarded as pillars of the Church.
Speaking to Radio Veritas after the Mass, he said Catholics should unite in prayer for the pope as he carries out his Petrine ministry and shepherds the universal Church.
“It is very important that on this great feast we pray for our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, in his leadership of the entire Church and the whole world,” Evangelista said.
The bishop said the pope’s ministry extends beyond guiding Catholics, stressing his responsibility to promote peace, uphold justice and show compassion for people experiencing poverty, conflict and suffering.
“His role is especially important in promoting peace throughout the world, justice, and compassion, especially for those who are poor and suffering,” he said.
Evangelista pointed to Pope Leo’s swift expression of solidarity with earthquake victims in Venezuela as an example of the pontiff’s pastoral concern for communities affected by disasters and violence.
He also encouraged Catholics to strengthen their faith and continue supporting the Church’s mission through prayer for the pope and the wider Christian community.
“Let us continue praying for our Holy Father. Let us also pray for the whole Church and deepen our love even more for our Christian faith, our Catholic faith, which was handed down to us by the apostles,” he said.
The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul commemorates the enduring witness of the two apostles and underscores Christians’ responsibility to preserve and pass on the faith to future generations.
Pope Leo XIV, the 267th successor of St. Peter, was elected pope on May 8, 2025.
Since his election, he has repeatedly appealed for an end to wars, urged humanitarian assistance for civilians caught in conflicts and disasters, and called on world leaders to pursue dialogue and reconciliation.
