By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
VATICAN CITY | The new edition of The Pope Video that accompanies and illustrates Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of August – “For mutual coexistence”.
As usual, the Pope has chosen a theme that poses a timely challenge for humanity and for the Church’s mission: conflict within our societies. Hence, he asks the faithful to pray “that societies where coexistence seems more difficult might not succumb to the temptation of confrontation for ethnic, political, religious or ideological reasons.”
In the video produced this month in collaboration with Jesuit Communications Foundation (JesCom), Pope Leo XIV recites a prayer composed specifically for this August intention by his Worldwide Prayer Network. The images that accompany his words create a montage of the divisions present in the world: wars, confrontation and violence that cause destruction, force people to flee their own land, and contribute to existential loneliness.
There is, however, a final message of hope entrusted to young people, who will be celebrating the Jubilee of Youth that coincides with the launch of this edition of The Pope Video. In fact, hope for a better future depends on young people knowing how to build fraternal communities, are welcoming of one another and their differences, and who open their hearts and place themselves at the service of others.
Respectful and compassionate coexistence
The Pope’s prayer describes what is actually happening: “We live in times of fear and division. Sometimes we act as if we were alone, building walls that separate us from one another.” We only need to glance at the news on any given day to confirm that in addition to international conflicts, numerous conflicts are originating within communities because of the exacerbation of political, religious, ethnic, and other types of differences.
At the root of this phenomenon is the disregard of a fundamental truth: that we are all brothers and sisters, children of the same Father. And so the Pope continues, “Send us Your Spirit, Lord, to rekindle within us the desire to understand one another, to listen, to live together with respect and compassion.”
To overcome differences in ideologies, it is precisely looking at others “through the eyes of the heart” that allows us to recognize the inviolable dignity of every person and to have the courage to “seek paths of dialogue, to respond to conflict with gestures of fraternity.” Openness to others without being afraid of their differences allows us to discover that they are not threats but “a richness that makes us human.”
Promoting peaceful coexistence
The International Director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, Father Cristóbal Fones, S.J., explains that “all of us can promote peaceful coexistence.” This entails, “the necessity of working on oneself first of all; to rid one’s heart of pride, and the expectations and negative words that hurt and kill. As Pope Leo XIV teaches us, peace is built in the heart and from the heart.”
Secondly, it is necessary to set aside prejudices and to acknowledge the fear of those who are ‘different’. “We need to respectfully approach others to listen since they always something unique to contribute,” Father Fones continues. “Through dialogue, it is possible to seek what unites us and open up ways to work together for the common good.”
Lastly, Father Fones reminds us that “Pope Leo XIV also points out that government leaders need to work toward building harmonious and peaceful societies. This can be done by: investing in the family; safeguarding the dignity of every person, especially the weakest and most defenseless; exercising justice; seeking to remedy inequalities; defending the truth, which is the basis on which authentic relationships can be built.”
Finally, within the context of the Holy Year 2025, The Pope Video acquires special relevance since through it we know the prayer intentions the Pope holds in his heart. To properly receive the graces of the Jubilee indulgence, it is necessary to pray for the Pope’s intentions.
