The Diocese of Venice is participating as a group in a worldwide effort to generate an outpouring of prayer for Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of his milestone 70th birthday, and his first birthday as Pope, celebrated Sept. 14, 2025.
OSV News has partnered with the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Pontifical Mission Societies, Relevant Radio and others to create a spiritual birthday bouquet for the Holy Father. The Spiritual Bouquet, called “Pizza and Prayer,” is made up of a variety of prayer options from a full novena, to a Holy Hour, to a rosary.
“Each prayer effort will be noted, collated, and sent to the Holy Father,” explained Karen Barry Schwarz, Diocesan Communications Director. “The Diocese will be submitting offers as a group, and we’d love for everyone to be a part of it!”
To have your prayer offerings included, please submit your prayers by 5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 12, at https://dioceseofvenice.org/spiritual-bouquet-for-pope-leo/.
As for the pizza part of the “Pizza and Prayer,” the faithful are encouraged to pray together and then grab a slice of pizza in honor of one of Pope Leo’s favorite treats.
Through Sept. 11, more than 380 had already submitted their intention to pray for Pope Leo. Several Diocese of Venice Catholic School classrooms also submitted their intentions to participate, with the St. Mary Academy in Sarasota noting that the middle school classes are excited to offer a Divine Mercy Chaplet.
The following are a few of the comments shared with the prayer intentions:
- “Happy Birthday Pope Leo! I feel honored and blessed that we share the same birthday!”
- “Happy Birthday Pope Leo XIV! Our family hopes you have a very special and happy day as you turn 70. Many blessings and a prayer for good health as you guide our church in the years to come. We will have pizza in your honor. God Bless!”
- “You are in my thoughts and prayers. I know you carry a heavy burden. I pray that Our Lord and Our Mother Mary may lighten your load. Thank you for your “yes” to be our Holy Father. I love you and you’re doing a great job. May you be blessed in all that you do.”
