Also, download our mobile app where you can receive on-the-go notifications. A new weekday newsletter is available. “We find ourselves afraid and lost,” Francis said. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need. We have realized that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, all of us called to row together, each of us in need of comforting the other. In the rain, Pope Francis called for global participation “to respond to the coronavirus pandemic with the universality of prayer.". You ask us not to be afraid. The miraculous crucifix at which Pope Francis prayed Sunday for an end to the coronavirus has... On Friday, before an empty and rain-covered St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis held Eucharistic... Christ’s resurrection ushers in a new world – one of peace, love, and fraternity, Pope Francis... Pope Francis gives the Christmas "Urbi et Orbi" blessing Dec. 25, 2018. Credit: Vatican Media. Watch the Urbi et Orbi blessing live here: “This Friday, March 27 at 6 p.m., I will preside over a moment of prayer outside of St. Peter's Basilica with the square empty. But you, Lord, will not leave us at the mercy of the storm. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. “We want to respond to the pandemic of the virus with the universality of prayer, compassion, tenderness. The Urbi et Orbi address and blessing is the most solemn form of blessing in the Catholic Church, and is reserved for the most solemn occasions. Find all of our coronavirus stories. “Dear brothers and sisters, from this place that tells of Peter’s rock-solid faith, I would like this evening to entrust all of you to the Lord, through the intercession of Mary, Health of the People and Star of the stormy Sea. Let us stay united,” Pope Francis said. You can subscribe here. “Urbi et Orbi” means “To the City [of Rome] and to the World.” It is a special apostolic blessing given by the pope from the balcony of St. Peter’s … (Yara Nardi/Pool Photo via AP )AP. © 2020 Advance Local Media LLC. Let us think about them and pray for them,” Pope Francis said. Pope Francis, during his meditation, entrusted all to the Lord, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, per The Vatican News. Tell us again: ‘Do not be afraid’ (Mt 28:5). Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vatican on Friday announced that Francis will celebrate Mass for Palm Sunday, on April 5, Holy Thursday, on April 9 and Easter vigil and Easter Sunday on the weekend of April 11-12, all at the basilica's central altar. “These days we are hearing the news of so many people who are dying, men and women who are dying alone without being able to say goodbye to their loved ones. More than 300,000 people have contracted COVID-19 as of March 22, according to Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Catholic News, Pope Francis, Urbi et Orbi, Coronavirus, Covid-19. At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. “All those who spiritually join this moment of prayer through the media will be granted the plenary indulgence according to the conditions provided for in the recent decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary,” Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni told journalists following the pope’s announcement. 1Pet 5:7).”. These occasions include Easter, Christmas, and the proclamation of a newly elected pope concluding a conclave. As now, I invite everyone to participate spiritually through the media,” Pope Francis said March 22 in his livestreamed Angelus address. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/20). Earlier Friday, The Vatican said Pope Francis will be celebrating Holy Week ceremonies in the confines of Vatican City, including a Good Friday Way of the Cross service on the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica instead of Rome’s Colosseum as customary. Pope Francis, white figure standing alone at center, delivers an Urbi et orbi prayer from the empty St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Friday, March 27, 2020. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Pope Francis said the March 27 prayer broadcast for those suffering from the coronavirus pandemic will include listening to the Word of God and Eucharistic Adoration. The ceremony will consist in readings from the Scriptures, prayers of supplication, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; and will conclude with Pope Francis giving the Urbi et orbi Blessing, with the possibility of gaining a plenary indulgence for all those who … Lord, may you bless the world, give health to our bodies and comfort our hearts. “Urbi et Orbi” means “To the City [of Rome] and to the World.” It is a special apostolic blessing given by the pope from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica every year on Easter Sunday, Christmas, and other special occasions. Follow our COVID-19 live updates. The pope also stressed the importance of praying for the dead during his Sunday morning Mass livestreamed from his residence in Vatican City. To sign up, subscribe to Alabama Coronavirus Urgent Alerts. The Vatican’s Apostolic Penitentiary has granted a plenary indulgence for people who pray for an end to the pandemic, healing for the sick, and the eternal repose of the dead. A free text-messaging service so you can receive the most urgent coronavirus updates on your cellphone. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. From this colonnade that embraces Rome and the whole world, may God’s blessing come down upon you as a consoling embrace. Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. To receive the indulgence, a person may offer at least a half hour of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament or a half hour of prayer with scripture, or the recitation of the rosary or chaplet of divine mercy “to implore from the Almighty God an end to the epidemic, relief for those who are suffering, and eternal salvation of those whom the Lord has called to himself.”. Pope Francis, white figure standing alone at center, delivers an Urbi et orbi prayer from the empty St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Friday, March 27, 2020. Like the disciples in the Gospel we were caught off guard by an unexpected, turbulent storm. The respiratory disease, which originated in Wuhan, China, has spread to 157 countries, and has led to the deaths of 13,672 people worldwide. Pope Francis delivers the Urbi and Orbi ("To the City and To the World") prayer in an empty St. Peter's Square Friday evening. Pope Francis granted plenary indulgences to those impacted by COVID-19 on Friday. The blessing goes to the severity of the coronavirus pandemic across the world.