WE ARE POPE FRANCIS!

Presented by Brother Patrick

Before he became Pope Francis (1936-1925), Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina composed The Five Finger Prayer. This simple prayer embodies the mission and ministry of Pope Francis with its focus on love, compassion, and fraternity for every person, from every place, in every situation.

It is a practical way to develop the spiritual discipline of praying for others. It literally brings the Holy Father’s deep faith and spirituality directly to our fingertips. And in a world wounded by hate, division, sickness, self-interest, and violence, we need this powerful prayer now more than ever. So, let us unite our hearts and voices in spiritual communion with Pope Francis in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Thumb: Pray for Our Loved Ones

The thumb is the finger nearest to our hearts. Begin by praying for those who are closest to us: friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, and deceased loved ones. Praying for those we love is considered a sweet duty.

For our loved ones, we turn to the Blessed Mother and we pray: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women; and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The Index Finger: Pray for Our Healers & Teachers

The index finger is the finger used to point and to touch. Pray for those who heal, preach, and teach: doctors and nurses; priests and lay ministers; teachers and catechists. They need support and wisdom in order to carry out their sacred work.

For our healers and teachers, we turn to the Blessed Mother and we pray: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women; and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The Middle Finger: Pray for Our Leaders

The middle finger is the tallest finger and it reminds us of our leaders. Pray for those who govern, legislate, and exercise authority over others. They need guidance and good judgment in order to serve the common good.

For our faith and government leaders, we turn to the Blessed Mother and we pray: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women; and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The Ring Finger: Pray for the Weak

The ring finger is the weakest finger and it reminds us of the poor and the sick. Pray for those who suffer from grief, illness, or want. They need our prayers both day and night.

For our brothers and sisters who are poor, sick, aged, and forgotten, we turn to the Blessed Mother and we pray: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women; and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The Pinkie Finger: Pray for Ourselves

The pinkie finger is the smallest finger and it reminds us of ourselves. After we pray for others, we should pray for our own needs. Each of us is small and weak in our own way. Each of us needs prayer.

For our own sake, we turn to the Blessed Mother and we pray: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women; and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

As we conclude this moment of prayer with Pope Francis, we ask him now to pray for us and for our suffering world:

A Prayer for the Intercession of Pope Francis
By Brother Patrick

All good and gracious God,
Pope Francis lived under a cross of titles.
Vicar of Christ, Successor of Peter,
and Servant of the Servants of God.

In our hearts, we knew him best
as witness to the gospel,
pastor of the poor, prophet of peace,
missionary of mercy, friend of the forgotten,
apostle of humility, artisan of fraternity,
consoler of the sick and sorrowful,
champion of the migrant and refugee,
and shepherd of the lost and left behind.

Our Holy Father sleeps but his heart is awake!
He waits in silent prayer for the last day:
among the saints next door,
among the cloud of witnesses,
who walk with us, pray with us,
and protect us on the journey of life.

We beg him now to intercede for us
and for our suffering world
through the Poor Christ
who lives and loves with you and the Holy Spirit;
God for always and evermore. Amen.

Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us! Pope Francis, pray for us!

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Brother Patrick Garvey is co-founder and spiritual director of the Assisi Project. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine, Saint John Seminary, and the Catholic University of America. He is a writer, spiritual director, retreat leader, and university lecturer. He also serves as an Associate Minister in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport in Massachusetts. On October 3, 2023, the Feast of the Transitus of Saint Francis of Assisi, Brother Patrick was consecrated as a diocesan hermit by Bishop Mark O’Connell, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Boston. For more information about the Assisi Project and our ministries with adults of all ages and backgrounds, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com.

Art Credit: Instant Printing – Etsy

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ABOUT US

Founded in 2007, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with friends and followers throughout the world. We are dedicated to helping Christian believers of all ages more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. We are also dedicated to promoting a devotion to Pope Francis (1936-2025) as a patron of peace, mercy, and fraternity in our sick and suffering world.

The Assisi Project is a non-profit, tax exempt charitable organization. Please support our ministry via Pay Pal (see link below) or mail a tax-deductible donation to the Assisi Project, Post Office Box 3158, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01931-3158. The Assisi Project Podcast is produced by the Assisi Project, Inc. Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. May the Lord give you peace!

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