Over a Million Children Unite in Global Prayer Campaign for Peace Following Pope’s Call

“Today, these children are the messengers of the love of the victims of the world: with them, God can do great and wonderful things.”

In a heartwarming demonstration of global unity, more than one million children from over 150 countries joined hands and voices in the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN)’s “One Million Children Praying the Rosary” campaign on October 18th. This year’s initiative, exceeding expectations, saw a staggering 1,135,945 children participating—a testament to the growing desire for peace and healing in conflict-torn regions worldwide.

Led by Pope Francis’ call for peace, the campaign’s impact stretched across continents, with Nigeria leading the charge with 200,209 participants, followed closely by the Philippines (162,684), Poland (151,365), and Brazil (75,579). The event has become an annual tradition on the Feast Day of Saint Luke the Evangelist, marking its origins in Caracas, Venezuela, in 2005.

This year’s campaign echoed the powerful message of Our Lady of Fatima’s 1917 plea: “Pray the rosary every day to achieve peace in the world and the end of war.” Children worldwide responded, including hundreds who gathered at the Chapel of the Apparitions in Fatima, Portugal. Led by Cardinal António Marto, these young participants symbolized a generation advocating for peace amid growing global unrest.

Cardinal Marto expressed the deep meaning behind the prayers, highlighting the innocent children’s awareness of war’s horrors and suffering. “These children are the messengers of the love of the victims of the world: with them, God can do great and wonderful things,” he said. “Here we are fighting for peace with the spiritual weapon of our prayer, so that the mercy of God may always come upon this world, which is so full of wounds.”

The campaign’s reach extended even into conflict zones such as Ukraine, the Holy Land, and Sudan, bringing hope and spiritual solidarity to those most in need. In countries where Christians are a minority, like Bangladesh and India, children stood in solidarity, with prayers echoing from even the most remote corners of the globe, including French Polynesia and Antarctica.

With the success of this year’s prayer campaign, the message of peace and unity grows stronger, fueled by the voices of children who believe in a future free of violence. As the world faces increasing challenges, their prayers stand as a beacon of hope and faith in the power of collective prayer.