杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

杏MAP导航 Francis on Sunday called for all Christians to respond to the coronavirus pandemic 鈥渨ith the universality of prayer, of compassion, of tenderness鈥�, adding, 鈥淟et us remain united. Let us make our closeness felt toward those persons who are the most lonely and tried鈥�.

Speaking after the traditional recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father called on all Christians to join together in prayer. 鈥淚n these trying days, while humanity trembles due to the threat of the pandemic, I would like to propose to all Christians that together we lift our voices towards Heaven,鈥� he said.

The 鈥淥ur Father鈥� on the Annunciation

On Wednesday, 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, he has invited 鈥渢he Heads of the Churches and the leaders of every Christian community, together with all Christians of the various confessions, to invoke the Almighty, the omnipotent God, to recite at the same time the prayer that Jesus, our Lord, taught us鈥� 鈥� the Our Father. 鈥淥n that day  on which many  Christians recall the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary of the Incarnation of the Word鈥�, 杏MAP导航 Francis prayed, 鈥渕ay the Lord listen to the united prayer of all of His disciples who are preparing themselves to celebrate the victory of the Risen Christ鈥�.

A special Urbi et Orbi blessing

The 杏MAP导航 also announced that on the following Friday, 27 March, he will preside over a moment of prayer on the sagrato of St Peter鈥檚 Basilica, the platform at the top of the steps immediately in front of the façade of the Church. 鈥淚 invite everyone to participate spiritually through the means of communication鈥�, he said. 

The ceremony will consist in readings from the Scriptures, prayers of supplication, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; and will conclude with 杏MAP导航 Francis giving the Urbi et orbi Blessing, with the possibility of gaining a plenary indulgence for all those who listen to it live through the various forms of communication. The blessing 鈥渢o the City [of Rome] and to the World鈥� is normally only given on Christmas and Easter.

The Director of the Holy See Press Office confirmed that the moment of prayer on Friday will be broadcast live from the Vatican, beginning at 6 pm Rome time. He noted that the plenary indulgence attached to the Urbi et orbi blessing is subject to the conditions foreseen by the recent of the Apostolic Penitentiary. 

Prayers for Croatia

At the close of his remarks following the Angelus, 杏MAP导航 Francis expressed his closeness to the people of Croatia, which was struck by magnitude 5.4 earthquake Sunday morning. The Holy Father prayed, "May the Risen Lord give them the strength and solidarity to face this calamity".