Apostolic blessing

Apostolic blessing of a married couple and their family (from the Pontificate of Pope Paul VI, dated 10 July 1965)

An apostolic blessing (Latin: benedictio apostolica or Papal Blessing (Latin: Benedictio Papalis) is a formalized benediction imparted by the Pope, either directly or by designation through another bishop sometimes by audience or by written parchment accompanied with a dry seal of the Apostolic See.

Bishops may grant it three times a year and any priests may do so for the sick and the dying. The apostolic blessing is not to be confused with an episcopal blessing, also known as a Pontifical blessing, which bishops can impart at any time by their own competent authority.

In personam

A particularly solemn form of imparting the apostolic blessing is as an Urbi et Orbi blessing granted to the city of Rome and the entire world.

The Pope gives his blessing in many forms and may use, with or without the introductory liturgical greeting, Dominus vobiscum, the formula of Pontifical blessing that any other bishop may use. This was the formula used by Pope Paul VI (without Dominus vobiscum) when he gave his blessing at his first appearance on the balcony of Basilica of Saint Peter following his election at the 1963 conclave, and by Pope Benedict XVI (with Dominus vobiscum) after announcing on 11 February 2013 his intention to resign the papacy, and (without Dominus vobiscum) at his farewell audience for the cardinals. At a general audience, when the blessing immediately follows the singing of the Pater Noster, it is naturally given without "Dominus vobiscum".

Via designation

Within his own diocese, a bishop may impart the apostolic blessing three times a year on solemn feasts. The same holds, within their territories, for non-bishop prelates (such as an apostolic prefect) recognized by canon law as juridically equivalent to diocesan bishops. In exceptional circumstances, they can impart it also on other occasions. The blessing is imparted in place of the normal blessing at the end of Mass, using a particular formula.

A plenary indulgence is granted to those who devoutly receive the papal blessing when imparted by the pope himself in the Urbi et Orbi form or by their own bishop in accordance with this authorization. It is granted also to those who are unable to be present at the rite itself and who instead follow it piously by radio, television, or the internet.

Apostolic nuncios acting as diplomats also are delegated to impart the papal blessing in written form.

The ritual on the Pastoral Care of the Sick uses the term "Apostolic Pardon" for what elsewhere, for instance in the Enchiridion Indulgentiarum, is called the "Apostolic Blessing with attached plenary indulgence".

Priests are urged to impart it to the gravely sick and the dying, but if a priest cannot be had, the Church grants a plenary indulgence, to be acquired at the moment of death, to any rightly disposed Christian who in life was accustomed to say some prayers, with the Church itself supplying the four conditions normally required for gaining a plenary indulgence (recent sacramental confession, reception of Holy Communion, prayers for the monthly intentions of the Pope, and detachment from all sin).

From the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia

Apostolic Blessing — The solemn blessing (urbi et orbi) which, before 1870, the Holy Father himself gave from the loggias of:

• St. Peter's on Maundy Thursday and Easter;

• the Lateran, on Ascension Day; and

• Santa Maria Maggiore, on the feast of the Assumption of the B.V.M.

The popes very often delegated to others the power to give this blessing in answer to petitions from princes, at the close of missions, and on such occasions. This power was restricted by Clement XIII, 3 September, 1762, to patriarchs, primates, archbishops, and bishops, who petition the Apostolic See for it; they can give the Apostolic blessing on Easter Sunday and on some other feasts. Prelates who have the use of the pontificalia and jurisdiction over a certain territory can give it only once a year. A certain formula is prescribed. The superiors of certain religious orders, especially the Franciscans, can give it twice a year in the churches of their own order; they must use a formula and ask permission of the ordinary (30 August, 1763). The faculty is occasionally granted to particular priests, regular or secular, to give the Apostolic blessing upon return from Rome, at the close of missions or retreats; in this case no solemn rite is required. The Apostolic blessing is a sacramental with which is grated a plenary indulgence (under the usual conditions), but no absolution from ecclesiastical censures. During a jubilee this blessing cannot be given. A special feature of this blessing is the Apostolic benediction in articulo mortis. This blessing is given to those who are in danger of death by priests who possess the required faculty. A formula is prescribed by Benedict XIV; to gain the indulgence it is necessary to receive the sacraments, to invoke the name of Jesus, and be resigned to the will of God. In missionary countries the bishops can subdelegate every priest to grant this indulgence (5 April, 1772). It is not suspended by a jubilee.