Parishes pray for peace after Easter
Shared from
New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference
First published 9 April 2026
Catholic parishes around New Zealand took up Pope Leo XIV’s Easter invitation to pray for peace by setting aside ten minutes after each Mass on the weekend of 11 and 12 April for a short liturgy of prayer. The Pope made the call in his first Urbi et Orbi message on Easter Sunday, and asked people to join him in prayer in St Peter’s Square on 11 April.
Bishop Steve Lowe, president of the Bishops Conference, said that living far from conflict is no reason for indifference. Prayer resources were also prepared for schools, homes, hospitals and aged care.