Let us pray that societies where coexistence seems more difficult might not succumb to the temptation of confrontation for ethnic, political, religious or ideological reasons.

August 2025 – Pope Leo XIV

Jesus, Lord of our history,
Faithful companion and living presence,
You who never tire of coming to meet us,
Here we are, in need of Your peace.

We live in times of fear and division.
Sometimes we act as if we were alone,
Building walls that separate us from one another,
Forgetting that we are brothers and sisters.

Send us Your Spirit, Lord,
To rekindle within us
The desire to understand one another, to listen,
To live together with respect and compassion.

Give us the courage to seek paths of dialogue,
To respond to conflict with gestures of fraternity,
To open our hearts to others without fear of differences.

Make us builders of bridges,
Able to overcome borders and ideologies,
Able to see others through the eyes of the heart,
Recognizing in every person an inviolable dignity.

Help us create spaces where hope can flourish,
Where diversity is not a threat
But a richness that makes us more human.

Amen.

Credits

Benefactors

—

PRESS RELEASE

Pope Leo XIV: “That societies not succumb to the temptation of confrontation”

• In The Pope Video for August, Pope Leo XIV requests our prayers that societies avoid internal conflicts due to ethnic, political, religious or ideological reasons.
• The Pope encourages us to “seek paths of dialogue” and “respond to conflict with gestures of fraternity.” 

(Vatican City, 29 July 2025). – 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” – is being published today. 

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.

This month, The Pope Video is possible thanks to the help of Jesuit Communications Foundation (JesCom). It is produced thanks to the generous contributions of many people. You can donate by following this link.

Where can the video be seen?

• Official website of The Pope Video
• YouTube channel of The Pope Video
• Facebook CTP page of The Pope Video
• The Pope Video on Twitter/X
• The Pope Video on Instagram
• The Pope on Twitter/X Verified @Pontifex
• The Pope on Instagram Verified @Pontifex
• Official prayer platform Click To Pray
• Read the Vatican News’ article

About The Pope Video

The Pope Video is an official global initiative with the purpose of disseminating the Holy Father’s monthly prayer intentions. It is carried out by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (Apostleship of Prayer). Since 2016, The Pope Video has had more than 250 million views across all the Vatican’s social networks, and is translated into more than 23 languages, receiving press coverage in 114 countries. The videos are produced and created by The Pope Video Prayer Network team, coordinated by Andrea Sarubbi, in collaboration with Jesuit Communications Foundation (JesCom); and are distributed with the help of La Machi Communication for Good Causes. The project is sponsored by Vatican Media.

About the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network

The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network is a Pontifical Society, with the mission of mobilizing Catholics through prayer and action in response to the challenges facing humanity and the mission of the Church. These challenges are presented in the form of prayer intentions entrusted by the Pope to the entire Church. The foundation’s mission is inscribed in the dynamic of the Heart of Jesus, a mission of compassion for the world. It was founded in 1844 as the Apostleship of Prayer. It is present in 92 countries, and is made up of more than 22 million Catholics. It includes a youth branch, the Eucharistic Youth Movement (EYM). In July 2024, the Pope approved the definitive Statutes of this Pontifical Work (canonical and Vatican legal entity). Its international director is Father Cristóbal Fones, SJ. For more information, visit: https://www.popesprayer.va.

About Jesuit Communications Foundation (JesCom)

Jesuit Communications Foundation (JesCom) is the media arm of the Society of Jesus in the Philippines. For over 30 years, it has been at the forefront of promoting the Catholic faith and building the Filipino nation through traditional and new media. As a distinguished Catholic media organization, JesCom’s mission is to bring people closer to God through its twofold mission of evangelization and education. Recognized for its compelling content and respectful dialogue, JesCom is a trusted voice in faith-based communication. It has helped shape the Church’s digital presence, most notably by drafting the official social media protocol for the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus. With a strong heritage and clear purpose, JesCom continues to meet the demands of the digital age, committed to spreading the Word and guiding the faithful with humility and dedication. For more information: jescom.ph

PRESS CONTACTS

POPE’S WORLDWIDE PRAYER NETWORK – VATICAN CITY [email protected]

JESUIT COMMUNICATIONS FOUNDATION (JESCOM) [email protected] 

—

POSTER

Download the poster in HD and hang it in your parish.