Pope Leo XIV announced the prayer intention for October 2026, calling on us to pray for mental health. In a video from the Pope’s Global Prayer Network, the Pope prays that the Church may be a welcoming home where people facing mental health challenges find acceptance, dignity, and hope.
Holding the image of St. Dymphna, the patron saint of people suffering from mental disorders and of mental health professionals, she turns to God, who knows the depths of our hearts and the silent wounds that sometimes go unseen by others. “Today we bring before God our brothers and sisters who are struggling with mental health issues, who suffer in solitude from anxiety, depression, or some other mental illness,” she prays.
Pope Leo asks for forgiveness for the times when Christians have turned a blind eye, contributing to the stigmatization and discrimination of people with mental illnesses. He prays that the church may become a safe space where everyone has a place—a community that welcomes and never excludes, that listens without judgment, and reaches out without fear.
The Pope also remembers those who provide care—including professionals, family members, and volunteers—asking God for strength and compassion.
Watch the prayer video HERE.
Let us join the Holy Father in prayer and pray for his intentions.