Friday, March 27, 2020 –
Today is a historic day. Pope Francis will give the Urbi et Orbi blessing at 6 PM Rome time (1 PM EDT).
In Latin, “urbi et orbi” means “to the city (of Rome) and to the world.” The blessing has a plenary indulgence attached to it if you “do your homework,” so to speak.
From the Handbook of Indulgences:
A plenary indulgence is granted the Christian faithful who devoutly receive the blessing imparted either by the Roman Pontiff to the City and to the World or by a bishop to the faithful entrusted to his care in accord with the norm number 10, paragraph 2, of the Handbook. This grant extends also to such blessings when given by means of radio or television.
How does one receive this plenary indulgence? Short answer: watching, doing, fulfilling certain conditions. Long answer: read more HERE, and read the decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary HERE.
Last but not least, watch the Urbi et Orbi live stream HERE (Friday, March 27, 2020 at 6PM Rome time / 1 PM EDT).
As a side note, the (supposed) first recording of a Papal Blessing, though NOT an Urbi et Orbi, was Leo XIII blessing William Kennedy Dickson’s camera in 1896, nearly 125 years ago! You can watch that blessing HERE and listen to Pope Leo XIII sing the Ave Maria (from a previous audio recording) in Latin.
Venerable Fulton Sheen, pray for us!
