Urbi et Orbi Blessing
On Christmas Day and Easter Sunday each year at 12:00 noon, the Holy Father gives the Urbi et Orbi (‘to the city [of Rome] and to the world’) blessing together with a Christmas or Easter greeting from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. The Urbi et Orbi is the most solemn form of blessing in the Catholic Church, reserved for the most solemn of all occasions, including Christmas, Easter and the proclamation of a newly elected pope after a conclave. The tradition goes back to the 13th century, when Pope Gregory X instituted this form of blessing.
Catholics who devoutly receive the Urbi et Orbi blessing may also receive a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions, which are:
- Sacramental confession within 8 days before or after receiving the blessing.
- Attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion within 8 days before or after receiving the blessing.
- Praying for the intentions of the Holy Father (traditionally an ‘Our Father’, a ‘Hail Mary’ and a ‘Glory Be’)
- Having no attachment to sin, including venial sin.
Since 1985, this indulgence is granted not only to the people in St. Peter’s Square, but also to those who though unable to be physically present, “piously follow” it by radio or television.
Formulæ of apostolic blessing in Latin and English
LATIN
Sancti Apostoli Petrus et Paulus: de quorum potestate et auctoritate confidimus, ipsi intercedant pro nobis ad Dominum.
℟: Amen.
Precibus et meritis beatae Mariae semper Virginis, beati Michaelis Archangeli, beati Ioannis Baptistae et sanctorum Apostolorum Petri et Pauli et omnium Sanctorum, misereatur vestri omnipotens Deus; et dimissis omnibus peccatis vestris, perducat vos Iesus Christus ad vitam æternam.
℟: Amen.
Indulgentiam, absolutionem, et remissionem omnium peccatorum vestrorum, spatium veræ et fructuosae pœnitentiae, cor semper paenitens, et emendationem vitae, gratiam et consolationem Sancti Spiritus; et finalem perseverantiam in bonis operibus tribuat vobis omnipotens et misericors Dominus.
℟: Amen.
Et benedictio Dei omnipotentis, Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti, descendat super vos et maneat semper.
℟: Amen.
ENGLISH
May the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in whose power and authority we trust, intercede for us before the Lord.
℟: Amen.
Through the prayers and merits of Blessed Mary, Ever Virgin, Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, may Almighty God have mercy on you and forgive all your sins, and may Jesus Christ bring you to everlasting life.
℟: Amen.
May the almighty and merciful Lord grant you indulgence, absolution and the remission of all your sins, a season of true and fruitful penance, a well-disposed heart, amendment of life, the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit and final perseverance in good works.
℟: Amen.
And may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, come down on you and remain with you forever.
℟: Amen.
