"He waits for us every day, in the laboratory, in the operating theatre, in the army barracks, in the university chair, in the factory, in the workshop, in the fields, in the home and in all the immense panorama of work.”
(Saint Josemaría)
Pope Francis has decided to give an extraordinary "Urbi et Orbi" blessing on Friday, March 27, in light of the current pandemic: “I invite everyone to participate spiritually through the means of communication.”
Pope Francis has invited everyone to pray the Lord's Prayer at the same time on Wednesday, March 25, (12 noon Rome time), for an end to the pandemic. He will also give an extraordinary "Urbi et orbi" blessing on Friday, March 27, outside St. Peter's Basilica.
During these days of quarantine, most of us find it very difficult to go to confession. Perhaps a return to normalcy is still far off, but the moment God sees that we are repentant, He hurries towards us, excited and proud that we are returning home.
The Apostolic Penitenciary has announced that "the gift of special Indulgences is granted to the faithful suffering from COVID-19 disease, commonly known as Coronavirus, as well as to health care workers, family members and all those who care for them in any capacity, including through prayer." It also reminds the faithful of the possibility of collective absolution in times of emergency.
Pope Francis left the Vatican on Sunday to visit two important pilgrimage sites in Rome to pray for the world in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak.
"In the sacrament of Penance, the fire of God’s love consumes the ashes of our sin." Homily of Pope Francis in the Basilica of Santa Sabina, Ash Wednesday, 26 February 2020.
The Holy Father received in audience today, at 11.45 am, the Prelate of Opus Dei, Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz, accompanied by the Auxiliary Vicar, Monsignor Mariano Fazio.
