THE Pope has backed the Thy Kingdom Come (TKC) prayer movement, which runs for the 11 days from Ascension Day — Thursday — to Pentecost on Sunday 24 May. The Archbishop of Canterbury has welcomed his support.

“These days of the ‘Thy Kingdom Come Novena’ are an especially fitting time . . . to pray that others will also come to encounter the saving and liberating love of God revealed in Jesus,” the Pope said in a video message.

“We long for him to save us from our sins, our foolishness, and all that might harm us. We long for him to heal what is broken in us and what is broken in our world. Even though we know that God is almighty and transcendent, we are still bold enough to ask him to be truly with us — not distant, but close.”

He continued: “While it is true that sometimes we stumble and forget about God and our need for him, at the core of our being we know that only he can satisfy our deepest longings and our inner restlessness.”

Pope Leo’s backing of TKC follows that of his predecessor, Pope Francis. The ecumenical movement is now in its 11th year and, according to the Church of England, has a presence in nearly 90 per cent of countries around the world.

Archbishop Mullally wrote on social media: “Thank you, Your Holiness, for this special message to Christians around the world for Thy Kingdom Come 2026. Ascension reminds us that Jesus reigns and that, through the Holy Spirit, his life continues in us.

“Our world is longing for hope, peace and renewal. As we journey from Ascension to Pentecost, let us pray together for more people to know Jesus Christ and the fullness of life we find in him.”