Vatican:

In a video released on Monday to commemorate the World Day of Peace on January 1, Pope Francis implores the Blessed Mother to "instruct us in valuing and nurturing life—every human life" and to "reject the madness of war, which brings death and extinguishes the future." The Holy Father offers a prayer in the video, describing the present moment as a "dark hour" and asking the Blessed Mother to extend her merciful gaze to the human family, which has, in his words, "chosen Cain over Abel."

Pope Francis addresses Mary in his prayer, acknowledging her shared suffering with humanity: "You suffer with us and for us, witnessing the pain of your children amid conflicts and wars that are tearing our world apart." This plea is accompanied by visuals of a burned-out church juxtaposed with an illuminated chapel adorned with lit candles. In the newly released video, poignant scenes depict a young girl amidst the rubble and another quietly reading on her classroom floor. Pope Francis addresses the Blessed Mother, acknowledging the collective inability to succeed alone and appealing for her intervention, so that a "glimmer of light may illumine the night of conflict."

Described by the Vatican as an exploration of the visual and existential contrasts between war and peace, the video portrays a child walking through a barren field juxtaposed with another child joyfully running through tall grass. The imagery includes smoke rising from a recently bombed structure and celebratory fireworks illuminating the night sky. Additional scenes in the video contrast marching soldiers with civilians crossing the street, depicting flying kites alongside fighter jets and an elderly woman crying in anguish against another praying serenely.

Praying for peace has been a central theme for Pope Francis in recent months, given the ongoing armed conflicts worldwide. During his Urbi et Orbi address on Christmas Day, the pope sought an end to violence in various regions, including Israel and Palestine, Ukraine, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, as well as several conflict areas in Africa and the Middle East. Pope Francis has reiterated these intentions in his recent addresses.

In his Angelus message for January 1, the pope emphasized the importance of not forgetting regions like Ukraine, Palestine, and Israel, which are in the midst of war, urging everyone to pray collectively for peace. Since 1968, the Catholic Church has observed the World Day of Peace on January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. For this year's observance, Pope Francis also issued a message advocating for the global regulation of artificial intelligence for "peace and common good."