Pope Francis is encouraging the faithful to pray the Rosary during the month of May, “when the People of God express with particular intensity their love and devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary”.

In a Letter for the Month of May, published on the feast of St Mark the Evangelist (25 April), the Pope notes that it is a tradition to pray the Rosary at home with the family during this month. This year, he continues, “the restrictions of the pandemic have made us come to appreciate all the more this ‘family’ aspect, also from a spiritual point of view”.

That is why he is proposing to everyone to “rediscover the beauty of praying the Rosary at home in the month of May”, whether individually or as a group, “making the most both opportunities”.

Pope Francis says, “the key to doing this is always simplicity, and it is easy also on the internet to find good models of prayers to follow”

Pope Francis also proposes two new prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary, which can be recited at the end of the Rosary. In his letter, he assures the faithful that he too will be reciting those prayers throughout the month of May, “in spiritual union with all of you”.

The Pope says, “contemplating the face of Christ with the heart of Mary our Mother will make us even more united as a spiritual family and will help us overcome this time of trial”.

He concludes his letter with the promise that he is praying for all of us “especially those suffering most greatly”; and he asks for our prayers as well.