# A million children pray for peace with Pope Leo

> On October 1, hundreds of children join Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican Gardens to launch a global week of prayer for peace.
- Title: A million children pray for peace with Pope Leo · Vaticannews
- Summary: On October 1, hundreds of children join Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican Gardens to launch a global week of prayer for peace. The One Million Children Praying the…
- Keywords: pope leo xiv, vatican, rosary, prayer, children, aid to the church in need, october 1, vatican gardens, peace, global initiative, fatima, cardinal kurt koch
- Source: Vaticannews — https://vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-09/hundreds-children-to-join-pope-pray-rosary-for-peace-october-1.html
- Author: Vatican News
- Published: 2026-09-21T13:17:32.439+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pope leo xiv, vatican, rosary, prayer, children, aid to the church in need, october 1, vatican gardens, peace, global initiative, fatima, cardinal kurt koch
## Hundreds gather in Vatican Gardens
Between 700 and 1,000 children from Rome's schools and parishes will join Pope Leo XIV on October 1 at 5pm in the Vatican Gardens to pray the Rosary together.
## One week of prayer, not one day
For the first time, the One Million Children Praying the Rosary runs October 1-7, letting communities choose when to participate while staying united in prayer for peace.
## Global communities join from everywhere
Children from Sudan, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Paraguay, and the Bolivian Amazon are already praying the Rosary in their own languages and communities as part of the campaign.
## Inspired by Fatima's message of hope
Cardinal Kurt Koch notes that this year's campaign draws from Our Lady's message at Fatima: 'In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph,' offering hope amid global violence and persecution.

> In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.
## Started in Venezuela, now worldwide
The initiative began in 2005 in Venezuela, inspired by Padre Pio's words: 'When one million children pray the Rosary, the world will change.' It now spans every continent.

> When one million children pray the Rosary, the world will change.
## Everyone can join, even one decade
Aid to the Church in Need invites parents, teachers, priests, and families to participate. Even praying a single decade of the Rosary joins the global prayer chain.
## Key takeaway

The One Million Children Praying the Rosary initiative, now spanning a full week for the first time, unites children across continents in prayer for a world marked by violence and instability.