Pope at Audience: Prayer is An act of Hope

Vatican, August 5, 2026: Pope Leo resumed his Wednesday General Audience on 5 August after spending several weeks of summer rest at Castel Gandolfo. Speaking to thousands of pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter’s Basilica, he continued his catechesis on the Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium, highlighting the significance of liturgical prayer.

“As the Apostle Paul suggests, it is the Holy Spirit who teaches us to pray,” the Pope said. “From the day of Pentecost, the Spirit dwells in the Church, inspiring every one of her activities and, in particular, prayer.” He added that since Pentecost, the Church “has never failed to come together to celebrate the paschal mystery”.

Rediscovering prayer in its true form

“In our time,” the Pope continued, “in contexts dominated by an efficiency-driven and consumerist mindset, prayer may seem pointless and trivial.”

He observed that in a world “where science and technology claim to provide all the answers”, prayer can appear to be a form of escapism or simply another psychological technique aimed at personal well-being. Prayer, however, the Pope stressed, “is worth rediscovering in its true form”.

A place of encounter with God

The Pope explained that the Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium responded seriously to this need. The conciliar document affirmed that the term “prayer” refers to the liturgy in its entirety. According to the Holy Father, this understanding is decisive because “it guided the liturgical reform, making the active participation of the faithful its central pillar”.

He said the liturgy is presented above all as “the place of encounter, of God’s initiative in drawing near to humanity in His Son”.

Sanctifying daily life

Pope Leo said that every week and every day, the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours are “the breath of the life of the Church, which makes the Holy Spirit circulate through her Body”. In this prayer, he noted, Christ “joins the entire community of mankind to Himself, associating it with His own singing of this canticle of divine praise”.

“Bound to the Eucharist, whose light it prolongs, the Liturgy of the Hours sanctifies the time of our daily lives,” Pope Leo said, before describing the various moments of prayer: “in the morning, we begin the day with faith and gratitude; at midday, we ask for the strength to remain faithful amidst our labours; in the evening, once our work is done, Vespers accompany the moment of sunset; at night, we fall asleep entrusting oufrselves to God’s peace.”

Pope Leo concluded by emphasising that “each Hour is an act of hope", and that "During our earthly pilgrimage, we keep watch, awaiting with the whole Church the glorious return of the Lord.”

Courtesy: Vatican News