Join the Pope for This Special Blessing

Pope Francis Will Give Special Blessing, Usually Reserved for Christmas and Easter, on March 27

Pope Will Give Special Blessing, Usually Reserved for Christmas and Easter, on March 27

This Friday, 1 p.m. EST, Pope Francis invites all of the faithful to tune in to a live feed of a special prayer service he'll be leading from the courtyard of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

The service will include readings from the Scriptures and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in addition to an "Urbi et Orbi" blessing, which translates to a blessing for "the city [of Rome] and the world."

This blessing is typically only given on Easter and Christmas, with the exception of solemn occasions, such as a new pope's first blessing of the world.

With the blessing comes the possibility of a plenary indulgence for faithful who are sick with the coronavirus, health agents, and relatives and all those taking care of those sick with the virus. Catholics around the world who pray for an end to the pandemic, healing for the sick and the eternal repose of the dead may also be granted the indulgence, according to the decree. Find details and learn more about plenary indulgences here (Catholic News Agency).

The service will be broadcast on Vatican News' website.