• Urbi et Orbi blessing, the message of Pope Francis: "We are all brothers"

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April 01, 2020 "Today I would like to pray for all those who work in the media, to communicate," he said at the beginning of the celebration of Mass in Santa Marta, "so that people are not isolated, for the education of children, for the information, to help overcome this closing time ".

Then Francis' warning: "The identity of the Christian is not a 'card' that says' I am a Christian ': he is discipleship. If you stay in the life of the Lord you will be a disciple, otherwise you will be a person who sympathizes with doctrine, one who does a lot of charity, which has the right values ​​".

But discipleship is the true identity of the Christian who gives us "freedom" and finally reiterates "The disciple lets himself be guided by the Holy Spirit, is of tradition" and at the same time I fear "novelty" "is not subject to ideology".

"The Holy Father will celebrate the Rites of Holy Week at the Altar of the Chair, in St. Peter's Basilica, without popular participation" . This was announced by the Holy See press room.

"Following the extraordinary situation that has arisen, due to the spread of the pandemic from Covid-19, and taking into account the provisions provided by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, with a Decree dated 25 March 2020- yes law in the press release - an update was necessary in relation to the next liturgical celebrations presided over by the Holy Father Francis: both in terms of the calendar and in terms of participation ".

There are two variations compared to the traditional scan of the Easter rites: there will be no Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday and the Via Crucis, instead of from the Colosseum, will take place in the churchyard of St. Peter's Basilica.

On April 5, Palm Sunday and the Passion of the Lord, Francis will celebrate Mass at 11 am. On April 9, Holy Thursday, Mass 'in Coena Domini' is scheduled for 6 pm. Double appointment for April 10, Good Friday: at 6pm the Pope will preside over the celebration of the Lord's Passion and, at 9pm, the Via Crucis will take place in the churchyard of St. Peter's Basilica. Holy Saturday, April 11, the vigil in the Holy Night is scheduled at 9 pm.

On April 12, Easter Sunday, the celebration for the Resurrection of the Lord will take place at 11 am. At the end, the Holy Father will impart the 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing.