Pope Leo XIV Calls for Mutual Coexistence
- USCCA Digital Communications Coordinator
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
In his prayer intention for August 2025, Pope Leo XIV called for mutual coexistence among neighbors around the world:
Let us pray that societies where coexistence seems more difficult might not succumb to the temptation of confrontation for ethnic, political, religious or ideological reasons. Jesus, Lord of our history, faithful companion, and living presence, You who never tire of coming to meet us, here we are, in need of your peace. We live in times of fear and division. Sometimes we act as if we were alone, building walls that separate us from one another, forgetting that we are brothers and sisters. Send us Your Spirit, Lord, to rekindle within us the desire to understand one another, to listen, to live together with respect and compassion. Give us the courage to seek paths of dialogue, to respond to conflict with gestures of fraternity, to open our hearts to others without fear of differences. Make us builders of bridges, able to overcome borders and ideologies, able to see others through the eyes of the heart, recognizing in every person an inviolable dignity. Help us create spaces where hope can flourish, where diversity is not a threat but a richness that makes us more human. Amen.
These words from the Pope resonate strongly with the USCCA's mission of building bridges of friendship among Catholics in the U.S. and in China. Tom McGuire, USCCA board member, offered the following reflection on the Pope's August prayer intention:
Pope Leo XIV’s prayer is a call for all missionary disciples to be "builders of bridges.” We invite all who feel a call to build bridges and dialogue with the people of China to explore how they might get involved with the US-China Catholic Association.
We invite you to join the USCCA's mission of bridge-building through participation in our Affiliates program, our virtual international Book Circle discussions, our Study Tours in China, or our upcoming 30th International Conference. May we honor the Pope's prayer intention for August by moving forward towards peaceful coexistence with brothers and sisters around the world.
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