Pope blesses world during pandemic: 'no one is saved alone'
In a live internet broadcast from a completely empty St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis gave the extraordinary "Urbi et Orbi" blessing, normally given only at Christmas and Easter (watch).
247, with information from Agência Brasil - Pope Francis will give the extraordinary blessing of “Urbi et Orbi” this Friday afternoon (27), normally given only at Christmas and Easter.
With a live internet broadcast (watch below), the pontiff blesses the world amid the coronavirus pandemic in a deserted St. Peter's Square. The site, part of the Vatican, was closed as part of a lockdown in Italy to try to contain the spread of the virus.
He announced the blessing this week during his weekly Angelus prayer, which he has been conducting from inside the Vatican via the internet and television, instead of doing it before the crowds in St. Peter's Square.
Your decision to make an exception and give a special blessing. Urbi and Orbi (For the city and the world) reinforces the seriousness of the global situation, especially in Italy, one of the countries most affected by the outbreak of the new coronavirus.
Catholics who receive the blessing, either in person or through the media, may, under certain conditions, receive a special indulgence. An indulgence is the remission of punishment for sins.