The Pope announced that on Friday, 27 March (Malaysian Time Saturday, 1AM on 28 March 2020), he will preside over a moment of prayer on the sagrato of St Peter’s Basilica. “I invite everyone to participate spiritually through the means of communication”, he said. The Church grants special indulgence to coronavirus patients and caregivers.
The ceremony will consist of readings from the Scriptures, prayers of supplication, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; and will conclude with Pope Francis giving the *Urbi et orbi Blessing*, with the possibility of gaining a plenary indulgence for all those who listen to it live through the various forms of communication. The blessing *“to the City [of Rome] and to the World”* is normally only given on Christmas and Easter.
The Director of the Holy See Press Office noted that the plenary indulgence attached to the Urbi et orbi blessing is subjected to the conditions foreseen by the recent Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary.
