Leo XIV has announced his prayer intention for the month of January 2026, coinciding with the launch of a new initiative titled “Pray with the Pope”, which invites the faithful from all over the world to join monthly in the Pontiff’s prayer.
With the start of the new year, the Pope has wanted to support this renewed format, which continues the desire expressed by his predecessor to spread the Holy Father’s prayer intentions through audiovisual media and an accessible language for prayer.
A proposal adapted to the current context
According to a statement quoted by Vatican News, the initiative seeks to increase the visibility of the Pope’s prayer intentions “using appropriate language for prayer and new formats, in order to better reach the faithful from all over the world, especially in the current context of digital communication.”
The project, previously known as The Pope’s Video, aims to foster a more direct and conscious participation of the faithful in the monthly prayer proposed by the Pontiff.
The Word of God, hope and guidance
In the first video released under this new format, Pope Leo XIV invites Christians to pray frequently based on the Word of God, emphasizing that only the Gospel can bring peace and fullness to the human heart.
“Teach us to listen to you every day in the Scriptures —the Pope prays—, to let ourselves be questioned by your voice and to discern our decisions from closeness to your Heart.” The Sacred Scripture, he adds, offers “nourishment in weariness, hope in darkness, and strength in our communities.”
The Pontiff prays that all Christians may find strength and guidance in the Word of God, and that the Church may always proclaim the Gospel with joy and fidelity.
Rediscovering the Sacred Scripture
The prayer intention for January 2026, with which this initiative is formally inaugurated, invites the faithful to rediscover the spiritual power of the Sacred Scripture as a privileged place of encounter with Christ, as explained in the statement reported by Vatican News.
Father Cristóbal Fones, SJ, international director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, noted that the new format will allow Catholics to accompany the Holy Father in a deeper and more constant way. “It is a simple and universal invitation to which we can all respond,” he affirmed.
A historically significant setting
The video recording took place in the church of San Pellegrino, one of the oldest temples in Vatican City, whose origins date back to the year 795. Located along the ancient Via Francigena, this church has historically been a place of welcome and prayer for pilgrims heading to the tomb of the apostle Saint Peter.
According to tradition, during the pontificate of Pope Leo III, Emperor Charlemagne donated to this temple the relics of Saint Pellegrino, a Roman priest and first bishop of Auxerre.