Pope proposes two prayer initiatives against coronavirus

Last updated: Thu 31 Mar 2022 PM

Pope Francis calls all Christians to unite in prayer against the coronavirus epidemic.

At the end of the Angelus prayer this Sunday, 22 March 2020, in the context of the coronavirus epidemic, the Pope called for a common prayer of all Christians on the Feast of the Annunciation, this 25th March.

"In these days of trial, when humanity is trembling before the threat of the pandemic, I would like to propose to all Christians to unite their voices in Heaven," the Pope explained. I invite all Church leaders and leaders of all Christian communities, as well as all Christians of different confessions, to invoke the Most High and Almighty God, reciting at the same time the prayer that Jesus Our Lord taught us. I therefore invite everyone to recite the Lord's Prayer next Wednesday, March 25, at noon. On the day when many Christians remember the announcement to the Virgin Mary of the Incarnation of the Word, may the Lord hear the unanimous prayer of all his disciples who are preparing to celebrate the victory of the Risen Christ," explained Francis.

Blessing Urbi et Orbi this Friday

The Pope also announced that he will preside over a time of prayer on Friday 27 March at 6 pm in front of St. Peter's Basilica. St. Peter's Square will be empty, but Francis invites everyone to join in through the media, as this celebration will be broadcast on radio, television and the internet. "We will listen to the Word of God, we will raise our supplication, we will adore the Blessed Sacrament, with which I will give at the end the blessing Urbi et Orbi, to which will be attached the possibility of receiving the plenary indulgence." This initiative is quite exceptional, since the blessing Urbi et Orbi is normally pronounced only at Christmas, Easter and the election of a new Supreme Pontiff.

"To the pandemic of the virus we want to respond with the universality of prayer, compassion and tenderness. Let us remain united. Let us make our closeness felt for the most lonely and the most afflicted. Our closeness for the doctors, the health workers, the nurses, the volunteers... Our closeness for the authorities who have to take difficult measures, but for our good. Our closeness to the police, to the soldiers who are trying to keep order on the road, so that the things the government asks us to do for the good of us all can be done. Proximity to all," the Pope said, leaving his text.

Prayer for Croatia

At the end of his intervention, the Pope also invited people to pray for Croatia, a Balkan country hit by an earthquake early this morning. "I express my closeness to the people of Croatia hit by an earthquake this morning. May the Lord give them the strength and solidarity to face this catastrophe," said Francis.

An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale has caused serious damage, particularly in Zagreb, the Croatian capital. At midday, no human toll had yet been reported.

Source: Vatican News