Urbi et Orbi
The Latest
Pope Leo XIV’s first words to the world: ‘Peace be with you all’
The 69-year-old new pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected the first pope from the United States on Thursday. Read more
The final hours of Pope Francis: ‘Thank you for bringing me back to the Square’
In the wake of his death, the Vatican released further details on Tuesday about the Pope Francis’ final hours. Read more
Pope calls for peace, warns against ‘logic of fear’ in Easter message ‘urbi et orbi’
The pope’s traditional blessing, “urbi et orbi,” was read by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, but Pope Francis later toured St. Peter’s... Read more
Full text of Pope Francis’ blessing ‘urbi et orbi’ for Easter 2025
“Urbi et orbi” means “To the city [of Rome] and to the world.” It is a special apostolic blessing given... Read more
Pope Francis’ pandemic prayer 5 years later: ‘Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?’
Before an empty and rain-covered St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis held Eucharistic adoration and gave an extraordinary urbi et orbi... Read more
How to gain a plenary indulgence for the end of the year and the beginning of 2025
A plenary indulgence is remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven. Read more
Urbi et orbi: Pope Francis urges world leaders to pursue dialogue, peace in jubilee year
Pope Francis insisted that a “just and lasting peace” can only be achieved in our world if people first turn... Read more
Full text of Pope Francis’ urbi et orbi blessing for Easter 2024
Here is the full text of the pope’s urbi et orbi message and blessing from the central loggia of St.... Read more
Pope Francis on Easter: May the risen Christ open a path of peace in the Holy Land
In his Easter Sunday blessing, Pope Francis asked the risen Lord to open paths of peace in the Holy Land,... Read more
Pope Francis celebrates Easter 2024: ‘Jesus Christ is risen’
Pope Francis presided over Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday 2024 before giving the traditional urbi et orbi... Read more
Full text of Pope Francis’ urbi et orbi blessing for Easter 2023
The urbi et orbi is a special apostolic blessing given by the pope every year on Easter Sunday, Christmas, and... Read more
‘The most important and beautiful day of history’: Pope Francis on Easter 2023
“At Easter the destiny of the world was changed,” Pope Francis said on Easter 2023 at the Vatican. Read more
Pope Francis to bless satellite set to launch his words into space
While in orbit, the satellite will broadcast decipherable statements from Pope Francis on the theme of hope and peace in... Read more
Full text: Pope Francis’ Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing 2022
The following is the full text of the pope’s Christmas “Urbi et Orbi” address delivered from the central balcony overlooking... Read more
On Christmas Day, Pope Francis prays for Prince of Peace to end ‘third world war’
Speaking from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 25, the pope offered the traditional “Urbi et Orbi”... Read more
Full text of Pope Francis' Urbi et Orbi blessing 2022
The full text of Pope Francis' Urbi et Orbi benediction for Easter 2022 Read more
Pope Francis laments ‘Easter of War’ in Urbi et Orbi blessing 2022
“Brothers and sisters, let us allow the peace of Christ to enter our lives, our homes, our countries,” Pope Francis... Read more
Pope Francis celebrates Mass in St. Peter’s Square for Easter 2022
An estimated 50,000 people were in St. Peter's Square for the pope's Easter Sunday Mass. Read more
Full text: Pope Francis’ Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing 2021
The pope prayed for peace in conflict zones around the world. Read more
Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing 2021: Pope Francis asks world leaders to be open to dialogue
He spoke from the central balcony overlooking a rainy St. Peter’s Square. Read more
