Organize diocesan prayer vigils for world peace, says CBCP president

Church leaders have been called to organize prayer vigils on Saturday, April 11, 2026 in accordance to the call of Pope Leo XIV in his "Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world)" message to pray for world peace.

The call, which was made by Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president, coincided with US President Donald Trump's announcement of a deadline set for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Agence France Presse reported, however, that Iran said critical infrastructure, including two bridges, was struck Tuesday by the United States and Israel, with US President Donald Trump warning "a whole civilisation will die" if a midnight deadline for a deal to open the Strait of Hormuz was not met.

"In a world increasingly marked by conflict and the "globalization of indifference," the Holy Father has invited the entire Church to unite in prayer, urging all to implore the gift of peace and to renew our commitment to dialogue, reconciliation, and nonviolence," said Archbishop Garcera in Circular 26-04 issued on Tuesday.

"In communion with the Holy Father, we respectfully encourage all dioceses to organize a prayer vigil on April 11, at any suitable time of the day, so that the faithful may join this spiritual activity," he added.

The prelate suggested praying the Holy Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, celebration of a Mass for Peace, or other appropriate liturgical or devotional gatherings.

"Such a collective act of prayer will not only express our solidarity with the Holy Father but will also witness our shared hope that true peace, which begins in Christ, may prevail in our hearts and in the world," Garcera said.

He asked church officials to convey the message to parishes, religious communities, and lay faithful in dioceses.

"Let those who have weapons lay them down!" the first US pope exhorted in his first Easter message. "Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace!" — BAP, GMA News