Christmas
Praying with the Pope, ‘Urbi et Orbi’ 2024 Christmas message: Times and how to watch
Pope Francis will deliver his Urbi et Orbi message from the balcony of St Peter’s Square on Christmas Day as part of liturgical celebrations for the season.
On Christmas Day, Pope Francis will give his traditional blessing from the balcony of St Peter’s Square, broadcast live to the world.
The most solemn blessing of the Catholic Church, the papal blessing Urbi et Orbi, meaning “to the city and the world,” dates back to the reign of Pope Gregory X in the 13th century. The granting of plenary indulgence takes place on the most solemn occasions, and is generally reserved only for Christmas and Easter.
Prior to 1985, it was only given to people in the Vatican City by the pope from the Central Loggia of the Vatican Basilica. However, the faithful around the world can now listen via radio, television and internet.
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Pope Francis will continue the tradition on Dec. 25 at noon as part of the Vatican’s Christmas celebrations.
The day before, the pope will commence the Jubilee year of Hope with mass at St. Peter’s Basilica on the night of Christmas Eve, opening the Holy Door of the Vatican Basilica.
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When will the pope deliver his annual Christmas message?
Every year the pope delivers his Christmas message or “urbi et orbi” at 12 p.m. at the Vatican, which is 6 a.m. Eastern Time in the US.
You can watch Pope Francis deliver the Christmas blessing on the Vatican News YouTube channel.
The “URBI ET ORBI” blessing in full
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 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 the 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.
Papal liturgical ceremonies for the holidays
The papal liturgies for December and January include the following services (times listed are local time in Rome):
- Dec. 24, opening of Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica at 7 p.m., followed by the celebration of the Christmas “Mass during the night.”
- Dec. 25, Christmas message and blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) at noon from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
- Dec. 26, opening of the Holy Door and Mass for the feast of St. Stephen at Rome’s Rebibbia prison at 9 a.m.
- Dec. 31, evening prayer and “Te Deum” in thanksgiving for the past year in St. Peter’s Basilica at 5 p.m.
- Jan. 1, Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica for the feast of Mary, Mother of God, and the World Day of Peace.
- Jan. 6, Mass on the feast of the Epiphany at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica.
- Jan. 12, Mass for the feast of the Baptism of the Lord and the baptism of infants at 9:30 a.m. in the Sistine Chapel.
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