What does the papal blessing known as “Urbi et Orbi” consist of?

On December 25, Christmas Day, Pope Francis will give the Urbi et Orbi blessing from the Vatican. What does this papal blessing mean?

“Urbi et Orbi”, translated from Latin as “to the city (of Rome) and to the world”, refers to the papal blessing that extends to the entire world on different occasions.

The Pontiff usually imparts this special blessing from the balcony of the central façade of St. Peter’s Basilica on dates designated for the Catholic Church.

During these blessings, the Holy Father addresses a message of peace and hope to the inhabitants of Rome and the faithful throughout the world.

It usually takes place on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day, although there are also other occasions in which the Pontiff gives it in an exceptional waysuch as a jubilee for pilgrims or the enthronement of a new Pope.

It is the example of the historic blessing on March 27, 2019 that Pope Francis made in St. Peter’s Square to ask for the end of the COVID pandemic.

Faced with this serious situation, Pope Francis presided over an extraordinary moment of prayer at the Vaticanimparting an Urbi et Orbi blessing with plenary indulgence to ask for the end of the pandemic.