By Charles Igwe
In his prayer intention for the month of November, Pope Francis directed the faithful to pray for him, highlighting the shared humanity between the pope and the Church. The Pope’s message was conveyed through a video released on October 31, where he expressed his reliance on the prayers of the faithful.
In the video, Pope Francis emphasized that his role as pope does not diminish his humanity but, in fact, enhances it through his interactions with the faithful. He described the papacy as an ongoing process of personal growth, explaining that every pope learns to become more charitable, merciful, and patient. He suggested that trepidation and apprehension are common feelings among new popes, as they understand the weight of their responsibilities and the expectation of being held accountable by the Lord.
The Pope requested that people judge benevolently and pray for the Pope, whoever holds the position, seeking the help of the Holy Spirit to fulfill their mission faithfully. He concluded the video with a prayer, asking for continued support and guidance for his papal mission and expressing his gratitude for the prayers of the faithful.
The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network promotes Pope Francis’ monthly prayer intentions to raise awareness and encourage the faithful to join in prayer for the intentions.