# Prayer for Pope Francis, the Church, and Our Priests
*2015-06-18*

> Bill Young leads a heartfelt prayer for Pope Francis, the universal Church, and all priests, asking for God’s mercy, protection, and conversion of sinners.

## Why This Prayer Matters

Today, June 18, 2015, Pope Francis released an encyclical on the environment that also touches on the unborn, the poor, and the whole of humanity. In light of this, Bill invites listeners to pray for the Pope, the Church, and especially our priests, who are the hands and hearts of Christ in the world.

## The Prayer

Oh my Jesus, I beg you on behalf of the whole Church, grant it the love and light of your Spirit and give power to the words of priests so that hardened hearts might be brought to repentance and return to you, O Lord. Lord, give us holy priests. You yourself sustain them in holiness. All‑divine and great High Priest, may the power of your mercy accompany them everywhere and protect them from the devil’s traps and snares, continuously guarding the souls of priests. May the power of your mercy, O Lord, shatter and remove all that might tarnish the sanctity of priests, for you can do all things. Jesus, my most beloved Spouse, I beg you for the triumph of the Church, for the blessing on the Holy Father Pope Francis, and on all the clergy. I ask you for the grace of conversion for the impenitent sinners, and I ask you for a special blessing for all the faithful. Oh Jesus, bless the priests before whom I will make my confessions throughout my life. Amen.

## How to Use This Prayer

Bill suggests praying this petition daily or whenever you feel the Church needs renewal. He also recommends offering it for the specific intentions of the encyclical—care for creation, protection of the unborn, and service to the poor—so that our prayers align with the Pope’s call.

## Further Resources

For more information about this prayer, you can contact the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Rome (Via Penitenzieri, 12‑00193).

*May our prayers lift up Pope Francis, the Church, and all priests, so that God’s mercy may transform hearts and strengthen the mission of the Church.*