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A LEGACY OF PEACE

REMEMBERING POPE FRANCIS

On April 21, 2025, Pope Francis (1936-2025) passed away after eighty-eight years of life; and after twelve years, one month, and eight days as Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. Throughout his long years as pope and pastor, the Holy Father was ever present to the poor, the sick, and the left behind. He was ever ardent about giving witness to God’s style of closeness, compassion, and tenderness. And he was ever passionate about the cause of peace in our war-torn world.

In his last testament, Pope Francis wrote: “May the Lord give the deserved reward to those who have loved me and will continue to pray for me. I offer the suffering that has been present in the last part of my life to the Lord for peace in our world and fraternity among peoples.” In this spirit of prayer and sacrifice for peace, we lift our hearts and raise our voices in spiritual communion with our beloved late pope and patron for peace

A PRAYER FOR PEACE
BY POPE FRANCIS

Lord, God of peace, hear our prayer!
We have tried so many times,
over so many years,
to resolve conflicts by our own power
and by the force of arms.
How much darkness and hostility have we endured!
How much blood has been shed!
How many lives have been shattered!
How many hopes have been buried!
All our efforts have been in vain.

Lord, God of peace, come to our aid!
Grant us peace! Teach us peace!
Guide our steps in the way of peace!
Open our eyes and hearts!
Give us courage to say: “Never again war!”
With war all is lost!
Instill in our hearts the courage
to take concrete steps to achieve peace.

Lord, God of Abraham,
God of the Prophets, God of Love,
you created us and you call us
to live as brothers and sisters.
Give us strength to be instruments of peace!
Enable us to see every person
who crosses our path as a brother or sister!
Make us sensitive to the plea of our fellow citizens
who beg us to turn
our weapons of war into implements of peace;
our fears into confident trust,
our feuds into forgiveness.

Keep alive within us the flame of hope,
so that with patience and perseverance,
we may choose dialogue and reconciliation.
In this way, may peace triumph at last!
May words of war, hatred, and division
be banished from the hearts of all people!

Lord, God of peace, hear our prayer!
Defuse the violence of our hands and tongues!
Renew our hearts and minds,
so that the word that always unites us will be “friend!”
May our way of life always be that of:
Peace! Shalom! Salaam! 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, Queen of Peace, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us! Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, pray for us! Pope Francis, pray for us!

Pray: A Rosary for Peace

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THE ASSISI PROJECT
A FELLOWSHIP OF FRANCISCANS IN SPIRIT
INTERCESSORY PRAYER MINISTRY

Members of the Assisi Project, ranging in age from 15 to 99, pray each and every day for all who ask for our prayers. If you would like our fellowship to pray for you or your special intention, please contact Brother Patrick at brpatrick@assisiproject.com. In communion with Pope Leo XIV and in solidarity with people of faith and goodwill everywhere, we also pray for peace, truth, and justice. In addition, we pray for all migrants and refugees; for the courage to speak truth to power; and for the poor, the persecuted, and the unjustly imprisoned. Please join us in prayer by clicking the link below! Thank you for your prayers! May God bless you! May the Risen Lord give you peace!

This Week’s Resources

Art Credit: Dieter Meyer – Dreamstime – 441887610

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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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In Memory of Pope Francis (1936-2025)