Pope Leo XIV will join 700–1,000 children from Rome’s parishes and schools in the Vatican Gardens on October 1 to launch the One Million Children Praying the Rosary
initiative, a global campaign organized by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that spans 20 years and involves communities worldwide.
The event, scheduled for 5:00 PM in the Lourdes Grotto, marks the start of a week-long prayer initiative that will culminate on October 7, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Children in Rome will pray in spiritual union with participants across continents, from Sudan to the Bolivian Amazon, as part of a movement inspired by the Fatima message In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.
A Global Prayer Network Begins in Rome
On October 1, between 700 and 1,000 children from Rome’s schools and parishes will gather with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican Gardens to initiate the One Million Children Praying the Rosary
campaign. The event, hosted at the Lourdes Grotto, will see the Holy Father join the children in praying the Rosary, a practice that has united global communities for over two decades. This year’s campaign, for the first time, will stretch across an entire week, allowing dioceses, parishes, and families worldwide to participate on dates best suited to their circumstances while maintaining a unified focus on peace and unity.
ACN, the pontifical foundation behind the initiative, emphasizes that the campaign is not limited to children. Parents, teachers, and religious leaders are encouraged to join, with even a single decade of the Rosary counted as participation. The event’s roots trace back to 2005, when a small group of Venezuelan children began praying for peace. Over the years, it has grown into a worldwide movement, with this year’s focus drawing on the message of the Virgin Mary at Fatima, which has resonated deeply amid global conflicts and crises.
From Venezuela to the World: A Movement Born of Faith
The One Million Children Praying the Rosary
initiative originated in Venezuela in 2005, inspired by a quote attributed to Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina: When one million children pray the Rosary, the world will change.
Over the past two decades, the campaign has expanded to every continent, with participation from communities in Sudan, Zimbabwe, Bolivia, and Paraguay, among others. In Sudan, children from the Pastoral Region of Kosti will join the prayer, while in the Bolivian Amazon, Tsimané indigenous communities are already praying the Rosary in their native language and Spanish.
Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of ACN International, highlighted the significance of the campaign in a message to participants, noting that the Immaculate Heart of Mary symbolizes a life open to the Holy Spirit. He described the initiative as a simple but universal sign of trust and hope
in a world marked by violence, poverty, and instability.
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A Week of Prayer: Unity Amid Diversity
This year’s campaign will see communities worldwide choose their own days to pray, ensuring flexibility while maintaining a shared intention. For example, in Zimbabwe, St. Christopher’s Parish in Bulawayo will gather on October 4, while Paraguayan radio station Radio Pa’i Puku will broadcast live prayers from the San Eugenio de Mazenod parish.
The week’s culmination on October 7, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, will see a global outpouring of prayer. ACN provides materials in multiple languages, enabling participants to engage in the initiative regardless of their location or background. The foundation also encourages registration to map the global network of participants, a feature that has grown in prominence as the campaign expands.
The Significance of the Rosary in a Fractured World
In an era marked by conflict, division, and spiritual uncertainty, the Rosary serves as both a devotional practice and a symbol of resilience. This sentiment echoes the words of the Virgin Mary at Fatima, which has become a central message for the campaign.
The initiative also highlights the role of children as agents of change. By uniting across cultures, languages, and continents, young participants embody a vision of global solidarity. As one source noted, The family that prays together, stays together,
a phrase popularized by Venerable Patrick Peyton. This emphasis on family and community prayer aligns with the broader Catholic emphasis on the Rosary as a means of fostering unity and spiritual strength.
As the campaign unfolds, its impact will be measured not only in numbers but in the collective hope it inspires. With over a million children registered globally and participation extending to war-torn regions, the One Million Children Praying the Rosary
initiative stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith and the belief that prayer can transcend borders and circumstances.