Francis will give the blessing leaning on the balcony of the central Lodge of St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Pope Francisco he will deliver his Christmas message and impart the blessing ‘City and World‘at 12:00, Rome time, (06:00 in Ecuador), on Saturday, December 25.
Francisco will impart the blessing leaning on the balcony of the central loggia of St. Peter’s basilica, with no capacity limit in the square, despite the fact that Italy has imposed more restrictions on those not vaccinated against coronavirus to curb the impact of the pandemic.
Last year the ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing was fulfilled inside the Hall of Blessings, a smaller space, due to the limited capacity that had been established by the COVID-19.
‘Urbi et Orbi’ which in Latin means ‘to the city (Rome) and to the world’, was the usual formula with which the proclamations of the Roman empire. Today, it is the most solemn blessing that the Pope, and he alone, imparts to the city of Rome and to the entire world.
This blessing is imparted from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, named for that Balcony of blessings. For the occasion, the pontiff is usually clothed with solemn ornaments (miter, crozier, stole and cope) and is preceded by a processional cross and accompanied by cardinals, deacons and ceremonies.
‘Urbi et Orbi’ grants the Catholic faithful the remission for penalties due for sins already forgiven. Guilt for sin is remitted by the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession), so that the person is back in grace of god, for which he will be saved if he does not fall into mortal sin again.
The blessing is traditionally given twice a year: on Easter Sunday and on Christmas Day. It can also be given on special occasions, such as the day of the election of the Pope; that is, at the end of the conclave; and the Extraordinary of March 27, 2020, on the occasion of the coronavirus pandemic. (I)
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