Pope Leo XIV Prays for Mental Health Ministry

Pope Leo XIV has requested prayers for the establishment of mental health ministries throughout the Church. In his monthly prayer intention, the Pope encouraged the faithful to overcome the stigma and discrimination often faced by people with mental illnesses.

This request follows a message from the Holy See’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, which identified mental health as an urgent pastoral challenge and invited the Church to engage with those struggling with mental health issues.

In the United States, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is observing its National Catholic Mental Health Campaign. The campaign includes a Novena for Mental Health running from October 10 to October 18. The USCCB has invited parishes to participate in Mental Health Sunday on October 11 and provides resources for local groups interested in forming mental health ministries through its website, the International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, and Catholic Charities USA.