Vatican City: Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network has published new General Regulations, offering an updated vision of its identity, mission and structure. The document was released on March 19, the feast of Saint Joseph.
According to a statement, the updated regulations present the network not as just another Church movement, but as a global community directly serving the Pope and uniting millions of people through prayer and service.
The choice of the feast day is significant, as Saint Joseph is the patron of the Society of Jesus, which has been entrusted with the apostolic leadership of the network.
The prayer network operates through a Vatican foundation based in Rome and includes around 22 million members in more than 90 countries.
The new regulations reaffirm the mission of the network as a Pontifical Apostolic Work at the service of the Holy See. Its aim is to encourage Christians to respond to global challenges through prayer, spiritual formation and concrete action, guided by the monthly prayer intentions of Pope Leo XIV.
Father Cristóbal Fones, the international director, said the new document serves as a reminder of the mission entrusted by the Pope and the need to remain faithful to it worldwide.
The mission of the network is rooted in the spirituality of the Heart of Jesus and is supported by a formation path known as The Way of the Heart. This approach seeks to connect personal prayer with real life commitment and awareness of global needs.
The regulations also build on the legacy of the historic Apostleship of Prayer while adapting to present day challenges. They will remain in effect for an initial period of two years, with a planned review in 2028.
The document is structured in four parts. It defines the identity of the network, outlines its global and local organization, explains how members can participate, and sets clear rules for safeguarding minors and vulnerable adults.
A key point in the new guidelines is that the network is not a closed group but a broad community of believers from different parishes, dioceses and movements who unite in prayer and mission.
Participation is open to all who wish to pray for Pope’s intentions, especially during the monthly day of prayer on the first Friday. A deeper level of involvement includes a daily rhythm of prayer and dedication to the Heart of Jesus.
The regulations also highlight the role of the Eucharistic Youth Movement, which invites young people to grow in faith through prayer and service, inspired by the Gospel story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus.
With these updated norms, the Vatican aims to strengthen the global mission of prayer and unity in response to the needs of the Church and the world.