Prayer for the Pope's visit to Colombia

The Episcopal Conference of Colombia published this prayer on May 17, 2017 for the apostolic trip of Pope Francis to Colombia on  September 6-11, 2017.

Fr. Juan Álvaro Zapata, member of the organizing committee of the Holy Father's visit, explained that the prayer is "very simple, easy to memorize and encompasses what we want from the visit, which means the presence of the Pope in the midst of our country".

"We want it to be a visit that really transforms our hearts, to encourage us all to take that first step, to help us reach that new something that we crave in us and that arouses in our hearts that we hope so much: love, hope and peace among all Colombians," he said.

Here is the complete prayer:

"Father of mercy,
You have sown in us the seed of faith,
so that we may be your children and missionary disciples of Jesus Christ.
Make our lives a visible witness of your Kingdom
and let us all know your Word.
We thank you for the Pope Francisco,
and we beg you that your visit to Colombia
be a time of blessing,
to confirm us in faith
and help us take the first step,
to begin with Christ something new
for the good of all Colombians.
Raise in our hearts
hope, forgiveness, love and peace,
so that with the help of your Spirit
make possible the reunion between the Colombians
by means of reconciliation.
We beseech you, Father of goodness,
which, through the intercession of the Virgin of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá,
this visit of the Holy Father,
open your mind and heart
to the Gospel of Christ our Lord.
Amen."