2026 National Catholic Prayer Breakfast from Washington DC | March 19, 2026

 

National Catholic Prayer Breakfast highlights: Letter from Pope Leo, talks by Michael Knowles, Jonathan Roumie

Jonathan Roumie speaks at 2026 National Catholic Prayer Breakfast. YouTube screengrab

By McKenna Snow


More than 1,000 people came together in Washington, D.C., March 19 for the annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast to pray for the country, which was an effort commended by Pope Leo XIV in a letter to attendees.

Archbishop Joseph Naumann, archbishop emeritus of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, read the Pope’s message at the event. According to EWTN News, which livestreamed the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, the annual event began in 2004 in response to Pope Saint John Paul II’s “call for a new evangelization.”

The tradition of praying for one’s nation goes back to biblical times, Pope Leo noted, recalling that Saint Paul invited Christians to pray specifically for people in authoritative positions, “confident that their prayer, united to that of Christ, would be both powerful and effective.”

The Pontiff also recalled the history of the annual event and how Pope John Paul II asked the faithful “to re-evangelize cultures that were previously Christianized long ago, with methods that are appropriate to our own time.” This mission, Pope Leo said, cannot be separated from cultivating “a deep friendship with God in prayer,” emphasizing that spending time with Jesus daily with an open heart enables one to know Him and be transformed by His grace.

“It is in this light that I would like to reiterate the ongoing need for evangelization, and at the same time, invite you to persevere in a truly authentic and fruitful life of prayer,” Pope Leo continued.

JD Vance’s Prayer for Pope Francis: ‘Grant Your Mercy’

By Abby Trivett Feb 28, 2025

At the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast on Feb. 28, 2025, Vice President J.D. Vance lifted up prayers for Pope Francis as the 88-year-old pontiff continues to navigate ongoing health challenges.

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“Almighty and generous God, we thank You for Your charity. Please grant Your mercy upon Pope Francis so he may be restored from sickness,” Vance prayed.

Despite Pope Francis’ past criticism of the Trump administration, Vance’s prayer reflects genuine Christian humility and concern for both the pontiff’s physical and eternal well-being, rising above political differences.

Watch the video below to hear the full prayer.

Watch the X Video

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Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.

Source

2018 National Catholic Prayer Breakfast