Pope Leo XIV Calls for Respect for Human Life in July Prayer Intention

Vatican, July 3, 2026: Pope Leo XIV has called on Catholics around the world to join him this July in praying for respect for human life.

On Thursday, he released the monthly “Pray with the Pope” video, produced by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network.

In his prayer, the Pope acknowledged that the Lord created each person in love and called all people to live life in fullness.

"Each person is a sacred gift that reflects your face," he said, "from the first instant of existence to the final breath of their journey on earth."

"Today," he continued, "we ask for the grace to recognize and protect the unique and unrepeatable value of every human being."

Welcoming life unconditionally

He said he hoped people would learn to "welcome life unconditionally," to "tenderly care for fragility," to "accompany each stage with respect," and "to bravely defend those who have no voice."

Pope Leo asked the Lord to forgive humanity whenever people become indifferent or fall into a culture of discard, and when they fail to recognise in others a person worthy of love.

"Give us a new heart, always ready to choose life," he said, "and generous hands that protect it through concrete actions."

The Pope prayed that the Lord would help His Church become a living witness to the Gospel of life, "an open home where every life is celebrated, where no one feels unwanted, and where dignity is always honored and protected."

In conclusion, Pope Leo implored the Lord Jesus to help people love life as He does, "with tenderness, fidelity, and self-giving."

"May we proclaim, in words and actions," he said, "that every human life is worth the total gift of ourselves."

The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network

Established in 1844 as the Apostleship of Prayer, the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network is a Pontifical Work entrusted to the Society of Jesus.

In December 2020, Pope Francis established the Pontifical Work as a Vatican Foundation and approved its final statutes in July 2024.

The network is active in more than 92 countries and forms a spiritual community of over 22 million people who strive to live each day in openness to God’s mission.

At the heart of its mission are the Pope’s monthly prayer intentions, which invite members to reflect on the urgent challenges facing humanity and the mission of the Church.

Courtesy: Vatican News