On March 27, Pope Francis stood in front of a rainy, dark, and empty St. Peter’s Square to give a unique Urbi et Orbi blessing. During the live-streamed event, he prayed for the end of the COVID-19 crisis.
Urbi et Orbi—to the city (Rome) and to the world—blessings are usually only given on Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, and after a papal election. To combat the suffering and death spread by this present pandemic, however, the pontiff announced on March 22 that he would deliver an additional Urbi et Orbi blessing.
This medium for grace includes a plenary indulgence, which is meant to further heal a repentant individual from the effects of sin and to liberate that person from the temporal punishment incurred by their wrongdoing, either in this life or in purgatory. Usually, to fulfill a plenary indulgence, the sacrament of Confession is necessary, but with varying social distancing and lockdown measures in place, a firm commitment to go to Reconciliation as soon as possible suffices to receive it.
During the blessing, Pope Francis spoke about the Gospel passage that depicts Jesus Christ calming the storm over the Sea of Galilee after being awoken by His panicked disciples. The pope pointed out how the fragile situation of today’s world mirrors that of the distressed disciples in the boat, and how all are called to use this time to have trust in God and choose the eternal joys of God’s Kingdom instead of “what passes away.”
“The Lord asks us and, in the midst of our tempest, invites us to reawaken and put into practice that solidarity and hope capable of giving strength, support and meaning to these hours when everything seems to be floundering,” said Pope Francis.
The Pope implored his flock to hopefully and courageously accept the cross of the moment. He finished the ceremony by entrusting all listeners “to the Lord, through the intercession of Mary, Health of the people and Star of the stormy Sea.”
On the same day as the Urbi et Orbi blessing, the Vatican announced that all Holy Week celebrations would be held at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica and closed off to the public due to the health crisis. Additionally, the Pope would not celebrate the Chrism Mass and would preside over the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Vatican rather than in a hospital, prison, or other public establishment.
Pope Francis started off Holy Week by presiding over the Vatican’s Palm Sunday Mass. The Easter Triduum began in Vatican City on the evening of Holy Thursday with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. It continued with the liturgy of the Lord’s Passion and the Way of the Cross on Good Friday, and with his celebration of the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday evening. Pope Francis concluded Holy Week by presiding over the Easter morning Mass and giving another Urbi et Orbi blessing and address.
With empty streets, a dearth of flowers, and no bands performing the Vatican anthem in St. Peter’s Square, the pontiff, called his message “a different contagion” spread “from heart to heart.” He spoke about Jesus’ Resurrection as a conquering love that “does not by-pass suffering and death, but passes through them, opening a path in the abyss, transforming evil into good.”
The Pope also offered words of consolation for those directly harmed by the pandemic, encouragement for politicians to govern responsibly over these difficult weeks, and gratitude to the medical community, law enforcement, and service members.
He reminded the faithful that this is not a time for indifference, self-centeredness, division, or forgetfulness. Pope Francis finished his Urbi et Orbi and Easter message by praying: “May Christ, who has already defeated death and opened for us the way to eternal salvation, dispel the darkness of our suffering humanity and lead us into the light of His glorious day—a day that knows no end.”
Featured image courtesy of Giorgio Galeotti via Wiki
Max Montana is a senior studying philosophy and theology. When not writing for The Torch, he enjoys reading more about the Catholic faith and philosophy, serving the unborn and mothers in need, and hanging out with friends. Max is honored to hail from the state with many gators and the bishop of the moon: Florida.
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