In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis said he will give an extraordinary blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) at 6 p.m. Rome time March 27.
By Cindy Wooden
VATICAN CITY, ( Catholic News Service) – The formal blessing — usually given only immediately after a new pope’s election and on Christmas and Easter — carries with it a plenary indulgence for all who follow by television, internet or radio, are sorry for their sins, recite a few prescribed prayers and promise to go to confession and to receive the Eucharist as soon as possible.
After reciting the Angelus prayer March 22 from the library of the Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis announced his plans for the special blessing, which, he said, would be given in an “empty” St. Peter’s Square because all of Italy is on lockdown to prevent further spread of the virus.
With the public joining him only by television, internet or radio, “we will listen to the word of God, raise our prayer (and) adore the Blessed Sacrament,” he said. “At the end, I will give the benediction ‘urbi et orbi,’ to which will be connected the possibility of receiving a plenary indulgence.”
An indulgence is an ancient practice of prayer and penance for the remission of the temporal punishment a person is due for sins that have been forgiven. In Catholic teaching, a person can draw on the merits of Jesus and the saints to claim the indulgence for themselves or offer it on behalf of someone who has died.
In addition to announcing the special blessing, Pope Francis said that at a time “when humanity trembles” because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was asking Christians of every denomination to join together at noon March 25 to recite the Lord’s Prayer. The Catholic Church and many others mark March 25 as the feast of the Annunciation.
“To the pandemic of the virus we want to respond with the universality of prayer, compassion, and tenderness,” he said. “Let’s stay united. Let us make those who are alone and tested feel our closeness,” as well as doctors, nurses, other healthcare workers and volunteers.
Pope Francis also expressed concern for “authorities who have to take strong measures for our good” and the police and soldiers maintaining public order and enforcing the lockdown.
Archbishop Hebda Discusses Pope Francis' Plenary Indulgence
Archbishop Bernard Hebda explains in this video how the plenary indulgence works and how the faithful (especially those who need to stay home right now) may receive it. Find details also in The Catholic Spirit: http://thecatholicspirit.com/news/nation-and-world/pope-announces-extraordinary-urbi-et-orbi-blessing-march-27/The Pope's blessing will be broadcast March 27 on the Vatican News website (https://www.vaticannews.va/en.html) at 6 p.m. Rome time (noon Central).
Posted by Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis on Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Archbishop Bernard Hebda explains in this video how the plenary indulgence works and how the faithful (especially those who need to stay home right now) may receive it. Find details also in The Catholic Spirit: http://thecatholicspirit.com/…/pope-announces-extraordinar…/
The Pope’s blessing will be broadcast March 27 on the Vatican News website (https://www.vaticannews.va/en.html) at 6 p.m. Rome time (noon Central).
