For thousands of Catholic pilgrims in Rome, this is the Vatican appointment that cannot be missed: at noon Sunday, the pope emanates from the windows overlooking St. Peter’s Square. New Pope, Lion Fourteenscheduled to be elected three days ago, he held his first such prayer from Loggia on Sunday.
This is the history, significance and memorable moment of the Pope’s Sunday blessing.
The history of the Pope’s Sunday Blessings
In 1954, he declared a special year for the Virgin Mary Pope Pius XII Begin to recite the traditional Catholic noon prayers to her publicly. He first gave birth from the Pope’s summer residence Castel Gandolfojust outside Rome.
Back in the Vatican, he continued the tradition through a window Apostle Palacea 16th-century building where the Pope’s apartment is located.
although Pope Francis He lived in a hotel in the Vatican instead of the Apostle’s palace, and he maintained Sunday’s prayer practice on the palace windows.
This blessing has become a precious opportunity for ordinary faithfulness to see the Pope relatively close. From the Pope St. John Paul II (1978–2005)the Pope often thinks briefly about world events or information about peace.
When the Pope missed weekly appearances (as Francis did during his hospital stay this year) made headlines around the world.
Vatican announces Pope Leo will pray on his first Sunday Mother’s Daycelebrate in Italy and the United States.
Pray to Mary
this Angelus It is a brief traditional prayer of Mary that many Catholics recite every day. Praying is usually done before Mass, traditionally accompanied by the bells of dawn, noon and evening. Archangel Gabriel told Mary that she would be the mother of God and she accepted it.
The first line of prayer “The Angel of the Lord declared Mary” and then the answer of the believer: “She thought of the Holy Spirit” and then a Hail Mary.
period Easter – 50-day season from Easter Sunday to Pentecost – Angelus replaced Regina Coeli (“Queen of Heaven”), rejoice in the resurrection of Christ.
Unforgettable Sunday prayer moments
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In 2005, a vulnerable St. John Paul II He showed up through the hospital window a few weeks before his death. He did not speak, but blessed the crowd with olive branches.
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In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI Before resigning (the first pope in 600 years) provided assurances to his last Sunday blessing, which allowed him to continue praying for faithful believers.
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On the first Angelus of 2013 Pope Francis Introduction to his central theme of the Pope: Mercy. “Some mercy makes the world less cold and more just,” he said.
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In recent years, Francis has used blessings Peaceespecially in conflict areas such as Ukraine and Gaza. He often ends informally: “Have lunch.transparent
