Pope Francis has said he will grant a plenary indulgence to the faithful who watch or listen to his extraordinary blessing "urbi et orbi" later today.
In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, will give the extraordinary blessing to the city and the world at 6pm Rome time, 5pm GMT.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols tweeted: "I invite you to join in this extraordinary moment of prayer with #PopeFrancis before the Lord for our world. Please join today at 5pm. Here's my invitation."
In his message, Cardinal Nichols described it as a "most extraordinary event" when the Pope will be immersed in prayer alone, and yet joined by millions around the world. He will pray before an empty St Peter's Square, when normally he would be addressing a "great throng".
Vatican News reported that the extraordinary moment of prayer in time of pandemic will last about an hour. The “Salus Populi Romani” icon and the crucifix of St Marcellus will be placed in front of the central door of St Peter’s Basilica.
The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar in the atrium of the Vatican Basilica.
The formal blessing, usually given only immediately after a new pope's election and on Christmas and Easter, carries with it a plenary indulgence for all who follow by television, internet or radio, are sorry for their sins, recite a few prescribed prayers and promise to go to confession and to receive the Eucharist as soon as possible.
After reciting the Angelus prayer March 22 from the library of the Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis announced his plans for the special blessing, which, he said, would be given in an "empty" St. Peter's Square because all of Italy is on lockdown to prevent further spread of the virus.
With the public joining him only by television, internet or radio, "we will listen to the word of God, raise our prayer (and) adore the Blessed Sacrament," he said. "At the end, I will give the benediction 'urbi et orbi,' to which will be connected the possibility of receiving a plenary indulgence."
Watch and join the Urbi et Orbi.
An indulgence is an ancient practice of prayer and penance for the remission of the temporal punishment a person is due for sins that have been forgiven. In Catholic teaching, a person can draw on the merits of Jesus and the saints to claim the indulgence for themselves or offer it on behalf of someone who has died.
In addition to announcing the special blessing, Pope Francis said that at a time "when humanity trembles" because of the Covid-19 pandemic, he was asking Christians of every denomination to join together at noon March 25 to recite the Lord's Prayer. The Catholic Church and many others mark March 25 as the feast of the Annunciation.
"To the pandemic of the virus we want to respond with the universality of prayer, compassion and tenderness," he said. "Let's stay united. Let us make those who are alone and tested feel our closeness," as well as doctors, nurses, other healthcare workers and volunteers.
Pope Francis also expressed concern for "authorities who have to take strong measures for our good" and the police and soldiers maintaining public order and enforcing the lockdown.
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