Urbi et Orbi, literally "to the City Rome and to the World," was a standard opening of Roman proclamations. Nowadays the term is used to denote a papal document that is addressed to the City of Rome as to the entire Catholic World.

The blessing takes place at each Easter and Christmas celebration in Rome at St. Peter's Square. Part of the urbi et orbi ritual is the remission of all temporal punishment due to sin through a plenary indulgence attached to the Papal blessing.

Urbi et orbi is also used at St. Peter's at the crowning ceremony of the pope and, on very rare occasions, as the blessing of pilgrims.

The main phrase of the blessing ends Et benedictio Dei omnipotentis, Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti descendat super vos et maneat semper (And the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you always).

Text of the Blessing

The text of blessing in Latin is:

Sancti Apostoli Petrus et Paulus, de quorum potestate et auctoritate confidimus, ipsi intercedam pro nobis ad Dominum.

Amen.

Precibus et meritis beatæ Mariae semper Virginis, beati Michaelis Archangeli, beati Ioannis Baptistæ et sanctorum Apostolorum Petri et Pauli et omnium Sanctorum misereatur vestri omnipotens Deus et dimissis omnibus peccatis vestris, perducat vos Iesus Christus ad vitam æternam.

Amen.

Indulgentiam, absolutionem et remissionem omnium peccatorum vestrorum, spatium verae et fructuosae penitentiæ, cor semper penitens et emendationem vitae, gratiam et consultationem sancti Spiritus et finalem perseverantiam in bonis operibus, tribuat vobis omnipotens et misericors Dominus.

Amen.

Et benedictio Dei omnipotentis: Patris et Filii et Spiritus sancti descendat super vos et maneat semper.

Amen.

The approximate English translation is as follows:

Holy apostles Peter and Paul, full of power and authority, we confide in you to intercede on our behalf to the Lord.

All: Amen

Due to the prayers of blessed Mary ever-virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, and the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints: God almighty will have mercy on you, forgive you your sins, and Jesus Christ will bring you to ever-lasting life.

All: Amen

The almighty and merciful Lord grants you an indulgence, absolution and the forgiveness of all your sins, for one period of genuine and fruitful regret, with a heart desiring for improvement of life, the grace and counsel of the Holy Spirit, and final perseverance through good deeds.

All: Amen

And ^* the blessing of God almighty, Father and Son, and the Holy Spirit descend upon you and be with you always.

All: Amen

External links

• John Paul I's first Urbi et Orbi blessing following his election as Pope
• John Paul II's Urbi et Orbi messages
• Benedict XVI first Urbi et Orbi message

Holy See | Latin religious phrases

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