Louise Salle//Photo credits: TIZIANA FABI / AFP
This Monday, December 25, at noon, Pope Francis delivered his Christmas message and addressed his traditional urbi et orbi blessing to the faithful around the world. During this speech, the Pope takes on a political role and delivers messages of peace in light of the conflicts that are shaking up the news.
To celebrate Christmas, Pope Francis gave his traditional urbi et orbi blessing from the central balcony of the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Monday. The Pope pronounces this blessing during the two most important religious holidays of the year for Catholics, Christmas and Easter, and on exceptional occasions such as the day of his election or during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
A political message
He does this from the central balcony of the basilica which overlooks Saint Peter’s Square and where many faithful listen to him. But the pope is not speaking only to his faithful. His message is delivered to the whole world because “urbi et orbi” literally means in Latin “to the city”, implying to Rome and the world.
During this speech, Francis took on a political role. He delivers messages of peace in light of the conflicts that are shaking up the news. It is a speech that is particularly scrutinized internationally. This ritual dates back to the 13th century, established under the pontificate of Gregory X. The first radio broadcast of urbi et orbi took place in 1978. The blessing was made by Pope John Paul I.