Urbi et Orbi

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Full text of Pope Francis’ urbi et orbi blessing for Easter 2023

Apr 9, 2023

By Pope Francis

The urbi et orbi is a special apostolic blessing given by the pope every year on Easter Sunday, Christmas, and... Read more

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‘The most important and beautiful day of history’: Pope Francis on Easter 2023

Apr 9, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“At Easter the destiny of the world was changed,” Pope Francis said on Easter 2023 at the Vatican. Read more

Pope Francis gives an extraordinary Urbi et Orbi blessing from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica March 27, 2020.

Pope Francis to bless satellite set to launch his words into space

Mar 27, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

While in orbit, the satellite will broadcast decipherable statements from Pope Francis on the theme of hope and peace in... Read more

Pope Francis delivers his Christmas "Urbi et Orbi" address on Dec. 25, 2022.

Full text: Pope Francis’ Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing 2022

Dec 25, 2022

By Pope Francis

The following is the full text of the pope’s Christmas “Urbi et Orbi” address delivered from the central balcony overlooking... Read more

With a cane in his right hand, 86-year-old Pope Francis delivers his 10th Christmas "Urbi et Orbi" blessing on Dec. 25, 2022.

On Christmas Day, Pope Francis prays for Prince of Peace to end ‘third world war’

Dec 25, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Speaking from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 25, the pope offered the traditional “Urbi et Orbi”... Read more

Pope Francis gives the Urbi et Orbi blessing for Easter 2022

Full text of Pope Francis' Urbi et Orbi blessing 2022

Apr 17, 2022

By Pope Francis

The full text of Pope Francis' Urbi et Orbi benediction for Easter 2022 Read more

Pope Francis gives the Urbi et Orbi blessing for Easter 2022

Pope Francis laments ‘Easter of War’ in Urbi et Orbi blessing 2022

Apr 17, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

“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

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in St. Peter’s Square for Easter 2022

Apr 17, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

An estimated 50,000 people were in St. Peter's Square for the pope's Easter Sunday Mass. Read more

Pope Francis gives his Christmas ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing Dec. 25, 2021.

Full text: Pope Francis’ Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing 2021

Dec 25, 2021

By Pope Francis

The pope prayed for peace in conflict zones around the world. Read more

Pope Francis gives his Christmas ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing Dec. 25, 2021.

Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing 2021: Pope Francis asks world leaders to be open to dialogue

Dec 25, 2021

By CNA Staff

He spoke from the central balcony overlooking a rainy St. Peter’s Square. Read more

Pope Francis with an icon of Christ during the Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Basilica April 4, 2021.

Full text: Pope Francis’ Easter Urbi et Orbi blessing 2021

Apr 4, 2021

By Pope Francis

On Easter Sunday 2021, Pope Francis offered Mass at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica. Afterward, he... Read more

Pope Francis offers Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on Easter Sunday April 4, 2021.

Pope Francis on Easter: Christ’s wounds are the ‘seal of his love for us’

Apr 4, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

May those who suffer take refuge in the wounds of Christ, and through them, receive the hope which does not... Read more

Pope Francis gives an extraordinary Urbi et Orbi blessing from the entrance of St. Peter’s Basilica March 27, 2020

Book marks 1st anniversary of Pope Francis’ Urbi et Orbi blessing as pandemic swept world

Mar 27, 2021

By CNA Staff

The Vatican Dicastery for Communication has released a book marking the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ extraordinary “Urbi et Orbi”... Read more

Pope Francis gives his Christmas ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing Dec. 25, 2020. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis calls for ‘vaccines for all’ as he gives Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing

Dec 25, 2020

Giving his traditional Christmas “Urbi et Orbi” blessing Friday, Pope Francis called for coronavirus vaccines to be made available to... Read more

Triduum liturgies took place in an empty St. Peter's Basilica due to the pandemic.

Full text: Pope Francis' Easter Urbi et Orbi Message 2020

Apr 12, 2020

Here is the full text of Pope Francis' Urbi et Orbi message, delivered April 12 at the Basilica of St.... Read more

Pope Francis gives the Christmas "Urbi et Orbi" blessing Dec. 25, 2018.

Pope Francis to give a special Urbi et Orbi blessing amid coronavirus pandemic

Mar 22, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis announced Sunday that he will give an extraordinary Urbi et Orbi blessing on March 27 with the opportunity... Read more

Pope Francis gives the Urbi et Orbi blessing from the center loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica Dec. 25, 2019.

Pope Francis on Christmas: Christ's light is greater than the darkness of world's conflicts

Dec 25, 2019

By Courtney Mares

On Christmas, Pope Francis prayed for Christ to bring light to the instability in Iraq, Lebanon, Venezuela, Yemen, Ukraine, Burkina... Read more

Pope Francis gives his apostolic blessing on Easter Sunday April 21, 2019.

Easter brings a 'new world,' Pope Francis says in Urbi et Orbi

Apr 21, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Christ’s resurrection ushers in a new world – one of peace, love, and fraternity, Pope Francis said on Easter Sunday,... Read more

Pope Francis gives the Christmas "Urbi et Orbi" blessing Dec. 25, 2018.

Pope’s Christmas Wish: Peace & brotherhood in world’s conflicts

Dec 25, 2018

By Courtney Mares

On Christmas, Pope Francis prayed for peace and renewed brotherhood in Syria, Yemen, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and other parts of the... Read more

Pope Francis gives the Urbi et Orbi blessing on Easter morning April 1, 2018.

Death doesn't have the final word, Pope Francis says on Easter

Apr 1, 2018

By Elise Harris

During his Urbi et Orbi Easter blessing, Pope Francis said Jesus' death and resurrection provide hope to a world marred... Read more