WEST PALM BEACH | Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez presided at a bilingual prayer vigil for peace April 11, 2026, at Holy Name of Jesus Church in solidarity with Pope Leo XIV, who celebrated a similar holy hour in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.
Bishop Rodríguez led the holy hour with Eucharistic exposition, a litany for peace and Benediction. He offered a homily in which he warned against violent rhetoric that can increase global tensions and threaten widespread destruction. “Peace begins in our hearts,” he said.
“If God is truly in our hearts, peace will be in us. If God is truly in our hearts, in my family there will be peace. If God is in my heart, in my workplace there will be peace. If God is in my heart, in my neighborhood I will become a promoter of peace. If God is in my heart, I will be also a promoter of peace wherever I go — in my country, in my church, in my community, wherever I go — because God is in me and I’m able to transmit whatever God is giving me,” the bishop said.
All in attendance at Holy Name and those who watched via the diocese’s Facebook page were invited to remain and join their prayers with Pope Leo’s on a live transmission from Rome. To learn about upcoming events in the Diocese of Palm Beach, visit www.diocesepb.org/news.
