Urbi et orbi is a Latin term meaning to the city (urbi) and to the world (orbi); the term goes back to the Roman Empire. Today, the words describe a rare and solemn blessing issued by the pope. Immediately upon being elected, as well as at the end of his Easter and Christmas messages, the pontiff bestows an “urbi et orbi” blessing both on the city of Rome and the whole world. Catholics who devoutly receive this special blessing, no matter where they are, have the opportunity to gain a plenary indulgence (see sidebar).

Background to Blessing

The ancient Romans believed theirs was the most powerful and influential empire in the world. The emperors often began their imperial decrees with the words urbi et orbi to reinforce the worldwide domination of the Roman Empire, which lasted from 27 B.C. until A.D. 476.

“‘Urbi et orbi,’ (“to the city [of Rome] and the world”), the standard opening of ancient Roman proclamations, became and remains the pontiff’s official blessing conferred on such important occasions as a new pope’s first public appearance, his annual Easter and Christmas messages, and the granting of plenary indulgences. The blessing not only expresses the pope’s authority as the Bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church, but also Rome’s unique status as capital of a worldwide religion” (“A Companion to Early Modern Rome, 1492-1642,” Brill, $206).

There is evidence that the term urbi et orbi was used in the Catholic Church beginning in the 13th century. When Pope Blessed Gregory (r. 1271-76) was dressed with the papal garments at his election, the official assisting said: “investio te de Papatu Romano, ut praesis urbi et orbi.” (“I invest you with the Roman papal dignity so that you may preside over the city and the world.”) Popes of that century and after imparted the “urbi et orbi” blessing at the time of their election as well as at other times, including Easter, Holy Thursday, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul and papal coronation (from St. Peter’s Basilica), the Ascension (from St. John Lateran Basilica) and the Assumption (from St. Mary Major Basilica). This blessing on the particular feast days continued until 1870.

In the mid-1800s, the Italian government was attempting to consolidate a nation out of the numerous, loosely connected states and territories of Italy. The Papal States cut right across Italy and Pope Pius IX (r. 1846-78) refused to relinquish those states to the Italian government. The Italian army began to take over the Papal States by force until, on Sept. 20, 1870, Pius IX retreated into the Vatican as the only place he still governed. He refused to come out, making himself a self-imposed prisoner of the Vatican and hence gave his “urbi et orbi” blessings from inside St. Peter’s Basilica. In a unified act of defiance, and for the next 52 years, all the subsequent popes refused to leave the Vatican and continued to impart this special blessing inside St. Peter’s. On Feb. 6, 1922, newly elected Pope Pius XI (r. 1922-39) resumed giving the blessing from an outside balcony of St. Peter’s. Many concluded that by this act Pius XI was signaling that he was willing to end the self-imposed prisoner status and resolve the issues with the Italian government, or what became known as the Roman Question.

In recent years, the “urbi et orbi” blessing is given at Easter, Christmas and the election of a pope; rarely on other occasions. Following Easter and Christmas Masses, the blessing is part of a ceremony typically given from the central loggia (balcony) of St. Peter’s.

Here are the words of the blessing:

“May the holy apostles Peter and Paul, in whose power and authority we trust, intercede for us before the Lord. Amen.

“Through the prayers and merits of the Blessed Mary ever Virgin, Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, may almighty God have mercy on you and forgive all your sins, and may Jesus Christ bring you to everlasting life. Amen.

“May the almighty and merciful Lord grant you indulgence, absolution and remission of all your sins, a season of true and fruitful penance, a well-disposed heart, amendment of life, the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit and final perseverance in good works. Amen.

“And may the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, come down on you and remain with you forever. Amen.”

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Papal Blessing Upon Election — Pope Pius XII (March 2, 1939)

“Now the roars of cheering were hushed, and the crowd waited in silence for His Holiness to impart his blessing Urbi et Orbi. Calm and pensive, Pius XII stood before the gathering: a serious, aristocratic man whose frail, ascetic body reflected his inner spirituality. Then he extended his arms and blessed them: he blessed his children kneeling before him; he blessed his native city, his bishopric of Rome; he blessed the Catholic people all over the earth; he blessed the entire world” (“Angelic Shepherd: The Life of Pope Pius XII,” Dodd, Mead and Co., $13.90).

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Papal Election

Once a new pope is selected, he goes to St. Peter’s balcony, is presented to the excited faithful assembled in St. Peter’s Square, gives a few remarks and then instills the special urbi et orbi blessing on both Rome and the world.

Universi Dominici Gregis, the apostolic constitution that provides instructions for the election of the Roman pontiff, explains: “When the other formalities provided for in the Ordo Rituum Conclavis have been carried out, the cardinal electors approach the newly elected pope in the prescribed manner, in order to make an act of homage and obedience. An act of thanksgiving to God is then made, after which the senior cardinal deacon announces to the waiting people that the election has taken place and proclaims the name of the new pope, who immediately thereafter imparts the apostolic blessing Urbi et Orbi from the balcony of the Vatican basilica.” (No. 89). These actions bring an official end to the papal election process.

Popes up through Pope Paul VI (r. 1963-78) participated in a coronation ceremony. There was a papal high Mass held a few days following their election. After the Mass, and moving to St. Peter’s central loggia, the new pope was crowned with a papal tiara and then he imparted the “urbi et orbi” blessing on all in attendance.

Beginning with Pope St. John Paul II in 1978, the coronation has been replaced with an inauguration ceremony and no crowning takes place. The crowning was symbolic, as a new pope receives all his authority when he accepts his election as the Supreme Pontiff immediately after the conclave vote, which was often days before the coronation.

Papal Messages

Today, the pope frequently precedes this unique blessing with an “urbi et orbi” message. On March 27, 2020, Pope Francis issued such a message focused on the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic; it was a meditation, a prayer addressed to the whole world meant to give people hope, calling on mankind to turn to the Lord and pray for the end of the coronavirus. The text of the message was titled: “‘Urbi et Orbi Blessing’ Extraordinary Moment of Prayer Presided Over by Pope Francis.” The devotion ended with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the “urbi et orbi” blessing was part of the benediction. The pope raised the monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament and blessed the city and the world.

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Greetings in Multiple Languages

In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI gave the Christmas urbi et orbi blessing in 65 languages. In 1985, Pope St. John Paul II gave the Christmas blessing in 51 languages.

Most of all, papal “urbi et orbi” blessings at Easter and Christmas begin with a message addressed to people everywhere; the heading, or title, typically reads: “Urbi et Orbi Message of His Holiness Pope (N) — Christmas (date).” The message, given on St. Peter’s outside balcony, is followed by the apostolic “urbi et orbi” blessing.

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Through the Centuries

Introduced some 750 years ago, popes have carried on the tradition of the “urbi et orbi” blessing. Pope St. John Paul II (r. 1978-2005) was recovering from a tracheotomy at Easter in 2005 but was present for the blessing, even though he couldn’t speak above a whisper. That year, a cardinal read the blessing. Pope Pius XII (1939-58) decided that Catholics kneeling before the radio during the “urbi et orbi” blessing could receive a plenary indulgence just as those present in St. Peter’s Square.

The first blessing televised was in 1958 during the reign of Pope St. John XXIII (r. 1958-63). In 1985, the Vatican announced that in addition to those present at the blessing, the plenary indulgence could be attained by anyone prayerfully and devoutly listening on the radio, or watching on television or through a computer device.

In the recent past, before the papal blessing, the cardinal protodeacon announces: “His Holiness Pope N. grants a plenary indulgence in the form laid down by the Church to all the faithful present and to those who receive his blessing by radio, television and new communication media.”

D.D. EMMONS writes from Pennsylvania.

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Papal Blessing — Plenary Indulgence

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Manual of Indulgences under the heading Papal Blessing reads: “A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly receive a blessing imparted either by the Supreme Pontiff to Rome and the World (Urbi et Orbi), or by the bishop to whose care the faithful are entrusted in accordance with Norm 7,2 of this Manual, even if, because of reasonable circumstances they are unable to be present physically at the sacred rite, provided they follow it devoutly as it is broadcast live by television or radio” (Page 47). The Holy See has since extended the blessing and the indulgence to anyone following on the internet.

A plenary indulgence, the remitting of temporal punishment, may be achieved through the “form laid down by the Church” — that is, sacramental confession, penance, holy Communion, praying for the intentions of the pope, accomplishing good works (in this case, devoutly listening to the urbi et orbi blessing), being free from all sin, including venial sin, and having the intention of gaining the indulgence.

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