Praying with the Popes: Words of Hope and Peace from Leo XIII to Leo XIV is a powerful and prayerful journey through nearly 150 years of papal teaching. Compiled by Shannon Wimp Schmidt and Eileen M. Ponder and published by Ave Maria Press, this unique volume gathers reflections, guidance, and heartfelt appeals for justice, peace, and human dignity from twelve modern popes.
From Leo XIII to Pope Leo XIV, each chapter presents a brief profile of the featured pope followed by six meaningful excerpts drawn from encyclicals, apostolic letters, homilies, and other writings. Thoughtfully paired with prompts for prayer, reflection, and concrete acts of charity, these passages invite readers to deepen their understanding of Catholic social teaching while growing in the virtues of hope and love.
Serving as both a spiritual companion and an accessible introduction to the Church’s vision for a just and peaceful society, this book highlights a unified papal witness across turbulent periods of history—from wars and cultural upheaval to modern crises. Whether used for personal devotion, group reflection, or parish study, Praying with the Popes opens a beautiful window into the heart of the Church and offers inspiration for living the Gospel today.
Book Details:
- Prayer book featuring teachings from twelve modern popes, from Leo XIII through Leo XIV
- Compiled by Shannon Wimp Schmidt & Eileen M. Ponder, published by Ave Maria Press
- Includes profiles of each pope with six curated quotes from their writings
- Offers prompts for reflection, prayer, and practical action
- Presents a unified witness to Catholic social teaching across 150 years
- Helps readers engage themes of justice, peace, human dignity, and hope
- Ideal for personal devotion, parish groups, classrooms, and prayer ministries
- Includes insight from popes who guided the Church from 1878 to 2025
- Introduced by Catholic speaker and author Katie McGrady
- Encourages a deeper commitment to living the Gospel in the modern world
