Powerful Photos Show Pope Francis Praying Alone In St. Peter’s Square

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In a sign of the times, today Pope Francis delivered a special “Urbi et orbi” blessing from the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica to a completely empty Vatican City.

h/t: oprahmag

Yara Nardi/Getty Images/AFP/EPA

Traditionally only given on celebratory occasions like Christmas and Easter Sunday, Pope Francis chose to deliver the “Urbi et orbi” blessing at this moment in order to pray for strength and an end to the coronavirus.

Yara Nardi/Getty Images/AFP/EPA

According to Vatican News, the Pope concluded with this prayer: “Dear brothers and sisters, from this place that tells of Peter’s rock-solid faith, I would like this evening to entrust all of you to the Lord, through the intercession of Mary, Health of the People and Star of the stormy Sea. From this colonnade that embraces Rome and the whole world, may God’s blessing come down upon you as a consoling embrace. Lord, may you bless the world, give health to our bodies and comfort our hearts. You ask us not to be afraid. Yet our faith is weak and we are fearful. But you, Lord, will not leave us at the mercy of the storm.”

Yara Nardi/Getty Images/AFP/EPA

Yara Nardi/Getty Images/AFP/EPA

Yara Nardi/Getty Images/AFP/EPA

Yara Nardi/Getty Images/AFP/EPA

Yara Nardi/Getty Images/AFP/EPA