One Million Children Praying The Rosary

On October 1, between 700 and 1,000 children from schools and parishes in Rome will gather with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican Gardens to begin the “One Million Children Praying the Rosary” initiative. The prayer will take place at 5 p.m. at the Lourdes Grotto, uniting the children and the Holy Father in spiritual communion with young people, families, and communities around the world.

Organized by the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the campaign is entering its third decade. For the first time, the initiative will span an entire week, from October 1 to 7, culminating on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. This extended schedule allows participants to choose the day that best suits their communities while remaining united in prayer for peace.

Children in places marked by conflict, poverty, and instability—including Sudan, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and indigenous communities in the Bolivian Amazon—will join the effort. In some regions, the Rosary will be prayed in local languages, offering a living sign of the Church’s universality.

Inspired by Our Lady of Fatima’s promise that “in the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph,” and by St. Padre Pio’s words that “when one million children pray the Rosary, the world will change,” the campaign invites not only children but also parents, teachers, priests, and families to take part. Even a single decade of the Rosary, ACN emphasizes, links participants to this global chain of prayer.

In a world wounded by violence and division, the simple act of children praying together becomes a powerful witness of hope and trust in Mary’s intercession.

For free Rosary resources and to register, please scan the QR code or visit the site here. 

“When one million children pray the Rosary, the world will change.” 

Saint Padre Pio