Urbi et Orbi denotes a papal address and apostolic blessing given by the pope on certain solemn occasions.
Etymology
The term Urbi et Orbi evolved from the consciousness of the ancient Roman Empire. In fact it should be expressed by the Pope as the bishop of Rome as well as the head of the Roman Catholic Church. Thus, as it were, includes the whole world. The formula is found more frequently in the language of the Church, as in the inscription at the Lateran Basilica, after which the church is: omnium urbis et orbis Ecclesiarum mater et caput - "the head and mother of all churches of the city and of the earth" = the principal and mother of all churches of the world. In the 4th century, Pope Damasus I wrote in a letter to the bishops of Illyricum: Unde iustum est, omnes in Universo Romanorum Orbe Doctores legis, ea, quae legis sunt, sapere, et non fidem doctrinis variis maculare. - The ritual of the papal blessingUrbi et Orbi developed in the 13th Century during Pope Gregory X, who consulted before his election with Niccolò and Maffeo Polo.
Occasions
The Urbi et Orbi address and blessing is the most solemn form of blessing in the Catholic Church, and is reserved for the most solemn occasions. These occasions include Easter, Christmas, and the proclamation of a newly elected pope concluding a conclave. Urbi et orbi blessings are usually given from the central loggia of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome, at noontime, and are broadcast worldwide through the European Broadcasting Union and other linkups. The address concludes with greetings in many languages in relation to the feast celebrated. The Roman Catholic Church grants a plenary indulgence by the willful grace and intent of the Pope, on the usual conditions, to those who "devoutly receive" the blessing that the Pope imparts Urbi et Orbi. For any ordinary plenary indulgence, the "usual conditions" are:
Prayers for the intentions of the Pope designated for that particular month or occasion, usually at the same time the work is performed, though recitation some days before or after also suffices
Gaining a plenary indulgence requires that a baptized Roman Catholic must also exclude any attachment to sin, even venial sin. Since 1985, this indulgence is granted not only to the people in Saint Peter's Square, but also to those who though unable to be physically present, "piously follow" it by radio or television. This is now extended to all who receive the papal blessing over the Internet, since the blessing is preceded by an announcement by a Cardinal : "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 the new communications media. Let us ask Almighty God to grant the Pope many years as leader of the Church and peace and unity to the Church throughout the world." The only yearly occasions for the Urbi et Orbi blessing are Christmas and Easter. Besides that, another systematic occasion for the Urbi et Orbi comes at the end of a papal conclave when the new pope makes his first appearance to the world following his election. In addition, Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis started with a short speech, with the latter requesting prayers from the faithful, and John Paul II deliberately mispronouncing the word “correct” in Italian in an effort to gain the support of the followers below. The people were nervous about having a non-Italian as pope for the first time since the Dutch born Pope Adrian VI who reigned from January 1522 to September of 1523. On 27 March 2020, Pope Francis imparted an extraordinary Urbi et Orbi blessing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He stood in the door of Saint Peter's Basilica, at the head of Saint Peter's Square following a prayer. For this blessing, the Apostolic Penitentiary loosened the requirements to receive the Eucharist and go to confession, due to the impossibility for people affected by lockdowns and suspension of liturgies. The Salus Populi Romani image and the crucifix from the church of San Marcello al Corso were brought to the square for the occasion. The Pope did not use the formula of the Apostolic Blessing; instead, he performed a Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
Greetings in different languages
From Pope Paul VI to Pope Benedict XVI, after delivering their Urbi et Orbi Message, the Pope would greet the different nations in their native languages. The Pope typically began by saying: "To those who listen to me, I address a cordial greeting in the different language expressions." Pope Francis has since stopped this practice.
Formulæ of Apostolic blessing
Latin
English translation
Former practice
Prior to the occupation of Rome by the army of the Kingdom of Italy, this blessing was given more frequently and at specific basilicas at Rome:
On the occasion of a Holy Year the Pope gave the blessing on other occasions too for the benefit of pilgrims. In the jubilee year of 1650 Pope Innocent XI did so at Epiphany, Pentecost, and All Saints. He and later Popes gave such special-occasion blessings from the balcony of the Quirinal Palace, which was then the papal residence. After the occupation, Pope Pius IX considered himself a "prisoner in the Vatican" and in protest ceased to give the blessing. The practice was later resumed, though in a more limited manner, following the resolution of the so-called "Roman Question".
