Pope Leo XIV has released his prayer intention for September, calling on the faithful to pray for a deeper relationship with all of creation.
In a video message, the Pope asks people to pray “that inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.”
The Pope’s prayer intention is set against the backdrop of the Season of Creation, an ecumenical period from September 1 to October 4, which unites Christians in prayer and action for the care of the earth. This year’s Season of Creation coincides with two significant anniversaries: the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of Creation and the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’.
Here’s the full prayer recited by Pope Leo XIV:
“Lord, You love everything You have created, and nothing exists outside the mystery of Your tenderness. Every creature, no matter how small, is the fruit of Your love and has a place in this world. Even the simplest or shortest life is surrounded by Your care. Like St. Francis of Assisi, today we too want to say: ‘Praised be You, my Lord!’ Through the beauty of creation, You reveal Yourself as a source of goodness. We ask You: open our eyes to recognize You, learning from the mystery of Your closeness to all creation that the world is infinitely more than a problem to solve. It is a mystery to be contemplated with gratitude and hope. Help us to discover Your presence in all creation, so that, in fully recognizing it, we may feel and know ourselves to be responsible for this common home where You invite us to care for, respect, and protect life in all its forms and possibilities. Praised be You, Lord! Amen.”
This prayer intention shows the importance of recognizing our interconnectedness with all creatures and the natural world.