Praying a safe world on the Holy Mountain

For many people, the world has changed at the turn of 2019 and 2020. On the last day of 2019, the first serious case of the coronavirus COVID-19 was officially recorded, and shortly afterwards, countries gradually began to protect themselves from its massive spread by closing their borders and adopting strict bans and orders, including the mandatory wearing of face veils, the observance of spacing, bans on assembly, and the closure of schools, most shops, restaurants and hotels. Two years later, when humanity seemed to have mastered the problem, the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, after which several other wars flared up, including the one in the Holy Land. According to current statistics, international or civil unrest is taking place in 61 locations in 36 countries.

At the same time, a long-term project, Prayer for a Safe World, was launched in Prague's Bubenč district, which is home to most of the country's diplomatic missions, involving not only faithful Catholics but also non-believing citizens and many foreign embassies. Month after month, on the first Monday of every month, a composed evening was held in the church, which began with an actual prayer in the middle of the Mass, where the priest recited prayers for the main leaders of a particular country or the church that operates there, and after the Mass, three presenters introduced the country in question with words, photographs and short videos. There were greetings from the representatives of the state and the church, and finally the presentation of the symbols of the state in the form of the flag, the emblem and the national anthem.

From January 2020 to December 2025, 72 countries from Afghanistan to India, including those nations or regions seeking their independence, have been connected through this spiritual and educational activity. The activity was initially patronized by Pope Francis himself, the then Apostolic Nuncio to the Czech Republic Charles Daniel Balvo and his successor Jude Thaddeus Okolo, and continues to be supported by the Diplomatic Protocol of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Since January 2026, this project, which has long since transcended the boundaries of one Prague district, has continued on Svatá Hora. The first country to be introduced by Pastor Miloš Szabo and moderator Jiří Václavek will be Indonesia, followed by Iraq in February, Iran in March and then other countries.

The first evening of this transnational project takes place on Monday, January 5, 2026. It begins with Mass at 5:00 p.m., and continues with the aforementioned program at approximately 5:45 p.m. Two information panels about Indonesia will be installed in the church that evening, and leaflets will be available with prayer intentions for each day, based on realities or points of interest specific to Indonesia. The program is not only for believers and the Basilica is open to all who care about the future of our planet. So that future generations of humanity can live in peace and security.

Miloš SZABO