It’s Divine Mercy Sunday, a feast close to the heart of St. John Paul II, who established this observance on the Second Sunday of Easter. Successive popes, including Pope Leo XIV, have urged us to continue promoting and commemorating this special day.
Pope Leo invited everyone to join him in prayer for peace on the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday. He encourages world leaders to lay down their weapons and choose dialogue to resolve conflicts. He has called upon us to pray for peace through negotiation rather than through force.
“We are growing accustomed to violence,” Pope Leo warned, “resigning ourselves to it and becoming indifferent.” He elaborated further:
“Indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people. Indifferent to the repercussions of hatred and division that conflicts sow. Indifferent to the economic and social consequences they produce, which we all feel. There is an ever-increasing ‘globalization of indifference,’ to borrow an expression dear to Pope Francis, who, one year ago from this loggia, addressed his final words to the world, reminding us: ‘What a great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day in the many conflicts raging in different parts of the world!’” (Urbi et Orbi Message, 20 April 2025).
Pope Leo also encourages us to look to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Queen of Peace, for intercession, so that swords may be turned into plowshares and hatred may yield to understanding.
Let us heed the call of our Holy Father in our parish, our schools, and our families. Let us pray the Rosary, conduct vigil prayer services, and offer Masses for the end of wars and for peace in the world. Prayer is our powerful weapon against fears and anxieties. Praying for the leaders of our nations is essential in this critical time.
On this Divine Mercy Sunday, may each of us grow in faith and trust in the Lord. In our personal prayers, let us continually say, “Jesus, I trust in You!”
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California