My dear Friends
On Friday 27th March at 6pm, Rome time, which is 5pm our time, Pope Francis will lead prayers in St. Peter’s Square, but totally empty. He invites us all to join him spiritually through the media. The prayers will take place before the exposed Blessed Sacrament. At the end, he will give his blessing Urbi et Orbi (the city [of Rome] and to the world), to which will be connected the possibility of receiving the plenary indulgence. For the other conditions that need to be fulfilled to obtain the indulgence, I will prepare in the coming days an “indulgence made easy” leaflet!
I think this is the official Vatican YouTube link by which you ought to be able to tune in to the Vatican:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7E-LYc1wivk33iyt5bR5zQ
The Pope announced this initiative last Sunday. He also said:
“To the pandemic caused by the virus, we want to respond with the universality of prayer, of compassion, of tenderness. Let us remain united. Let us make our closeness felt toward those persons who are the most lonely and tried. Our closeness to the doctors, the healthcare workers, nurses, volunteers… Our closeness to the authorities who must impose stringent measures, but for our own good. Our closeness to the police, to the soldiers who try always to keep order on the streets, to ensure that the things the government asks to be done for the good of all are implemented. Closeness to all.”