Pope Francis has written a letter to all the faithful, encouraging them to pray the Rosary, especially during the month of May.

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”. 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.