It has become the custom of Pope Francis to release a video message detailing his prayer intention for each month.
The full text of his intention is below:
Deacons are not second-level priests.
They are part of the clergy and live their vocation in and with their family.
They are dedicated to the service of the poor, who carry within them the face of the suffering Christ.
They are the guardians of service in the Church.
Let us pray that deacons, faithful in their service to the Word and the poor, may be an invigorating symbol for the entire Church.
The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network of the Apostleship of Prayer developed «The Pope Video» initiative to assist in the worldwide dissemination of monthly intentions of the Holy Father in relation to the challenges facing humanity.