Pope to pray rosary for peace with more than 700 children at the Vatican

Between 700 and 1,000 children will pray a rosary for peace with Pope Leo XIV on Oct. 1 at the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens, part of a prayer initiative promoted by Aid to the Church in Need.

Coming from schools and parishes throughout Rome, the children will join the pontiff in the “One Million Children Praying the Rosary” campaign organized by the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

They will also be spiritually united with children, families, schools, and Christian communities around the world in an event marking the beginning of the global week during which the prayer initiative is observed.

During that week, any diocese, parish, religious community, school, or family anywhere in the world can participate. The week concludes on Oct. 7, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Inspired by the message of Fátima The 2026 campaign is inspired by the message received by the children at Fátima: “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.”

Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of ACN International and prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, said in particular that “the Immaculate Heart of Mary represents a life completely open to the Holy…