Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic Pope Francis has announced that he will give an extraordinary blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) at 6 p.m. Rome time March 27.
[Editor’s Note: 6pm Rome time = 1pm ET, 12pm CT, 11am MT, 10am PT]
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.
Pope Francis made the announcement after reciting the Angelus prayer March 22 from the library of the Apostolic Palace.
He said the special blessing 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.
[Editor’s note: The Vatican Press Office has released the details of this DECREE granting special indulgences here. Read it for full details for prayers and required dispositions.]
“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.
Read more articles about catechesis at home during a crisis.
Image credit: Stefano Guidi / Shutterstock 555444547
