Pope Leo XIV has called upon Catholics around the world to join him throughout November in praying for the proper use of wealth, as Vatican News - English reported.
The Holy Father released his monthly video message for the intention on Tuesday. The video was prepared by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, an organization that coordinates the monthly prayer requests released by the pontiff to address significant issues facing humanity and the mission of the Catholic Church.
In his prayer message, Pope Leo reflected on the origin of human resources, stating that everything individuals possess comes directly from the Lord. He specifically highlighted elements such as fertile land, personal talents, and the historical efforts of past generations as shared gifts rather than strictly private possessions. He noted that people frequently permit the wealth they seek or acquire to harden their hearts, leading to self-centeredness and causing them to overlook the needs of the most vulnerable members of society.
Addressing these human tendencies, Pope Leo offered prayers asking for forgiveness for instances where people accumulate resources instead of sharing them with others, as well as for situations where material goods are converted into instruments of power rather than tools for service. He referenced the teachings of Jesus to emphasize that genuine wealth is not determined by what a person retains, but rather by what is given away with love.
According to the Pope, maintaining a heart that is detached from material possessions works to transform the broader world. He explained that such an attitude opens up avenues for justice, breaks down existing walls of indifference, and plants seeds of hope among impoverished populations. Consequently, his prayer petitions God to send the Holy Spirit so that people may learn to employ their money, time, talents, and opportunities as instruments of fraternity.
Pope Leo expressed the hope that every financial, familial, or community decision would originate from a heart freed from attachment to riches. He stated that a free heart recognizes that all goods are intended for the benefit of everyone, and that building a sustainable future is achieved solely through the act of sharing. Concluding his prayer, the pontiff asked that believers be made witnesses of wealth transformed into service and mercy, so that their collective lives may serve as a visible sign of the Kingdom of justice and peace.
The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, which produced the video, was originally established in 1844 under the name of the Apostleship of Prayer. It operates as a Pontifical Work that has been entrusted to the care of the Society of Jesus.
Over its history, the organization has undergone several structural developments within the administrative framework of the Holy See. In December 2020, Pope Francis officially established the initiative as a Vatican Foundation. Subsequently, Pope Francis approved the final statutes governing the foundation in July 2024.
Today, the network maintains a global presence in over 92 countries. It forms an international spiritual community comprising more than 22 million people who commit to living each day with availability to God’s mission. The monthly prayer intentions issued by the Pope remain at the core of the network's ongoing mission, drawing the attention of its worldwide membership to the immediate spiritual and social challenges facing the global community.
