Pope’s November prayer intention: parents grieving the loss of a child

CV NEWS FEED // Pope Francis devoted his November prayer intention to parents mourning the loss of a child, calling for compassionate community support for those enduring this unique sorrow.

The Pope announced that his November intention is “that all parents who mourn the loss of a son or daughter find support in their community, and may receive peace of heart from the Spirit of Consolation,” according to Vatican News.

In a video message, the Pope emphasized that, while we have terms like “widow,” “widower,” and “orphan” to describe the loss of a spouse or parent, there is no word to capture or console the profound grief of losing a child.

“The pain is so great, there is no word,” the Pope said in the video. “And it’s not natural to outlive your child. The pain caused by this loss is especially intense.”

Pope Francis offered guidance for comforting those who have lost a child, acknowledging that words — no matter how well-intentioned — can often feel inadequate or even “end up aggravating the wound.”

“To offer comfort to these parents who have lost a child, we need to listen to them, to be close to them with love, to care responsibly for the pain they feel, imitating how Jesus Christ consoled those who were afflicted,” he explained.

The Pope also noted that parents strengthened by faith may find solace in connecting with others who have faced similar loss and have been “reborn in hope.”