VATICAN CITY — For numerous Catholic faithful visiting Rome, a must-attend event is the pope’s midday blessing on Sundays. Delivered from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, this moment holds great significance for pilgrims.
Recently elected Pope Leo XIV is set to give his inaugural blessing this Sunday from the loggia, the same place he first appeared to the public three days prior. Past popes also offered their initial Sunday blessings from a window in the Apostolic Palace with a view of the square.
This tradition has deep historical roots, with memorable moments throughout the years.
In tracing the history of the papal Sunday blessing, one discovers that in 1954, Pope Pius XII initiated the tradition of publicly reciting a traditional Catholic midday prayer to the Virgin Mary. This began at the pope’s summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, just outside Rome. Upon returning to the Vatican, Pius XII continued the practice from a window at the Apostolic Palace. Although Pope Francis opted for residence at a Vatican guest house, he nonetheless preserved the tradition of the Sunday prayer delivered from the palace.
For the lay faithful, witnessing the pope during these blessings offers an intimate glimpse of the papacy. Since St. John Paul II’s papacy, spanning from 1978 to 2005, popes have used this platform to address various contemporary issues. Absences at these occasions, such as during Pope Francis’s hospitalization, often attract worldwide attention.
The Vatican has announced that Pope Leo XIV will perform his inaugural Sunday prayer on Mother’s Day, a day shared by both Italy and the United States.
Central to this tradition is the Angelus prayer, a brief invocation dedicated to Mary recited daily by many Catholics. This prayer, historically signaled by the tolling of bells at dawn, midday, and evening, recalls the moment the Archangel Gabriel proclaimed to Mary her role as the mother of God. The faithful respond with a Hail Mary, culminating in a series of verses and prayers.
An integral part of Christian doctrine, this “annunciation” is a scene that has inspired artists for centuries, immortalized in many renowned paintings. The recitation of the Angelus, believed to have its origins in the Middle Ages, reflects a long-standing devotional practice.
During the Easter season—spanning from Easter Sunday to Pentecost—the Angelus is replaced by the Regina Coeli prayer, which celebrates Christ’s resurrection and Mary’s joy.
The history of Sunday prayer moments is punctuated by poignant events. One memorable instance was when a visibly frail St. John Paul II appeared at his hospital window for his final Angelus prayer in 2005, only weeks before his passing. Unable to speak, he blessed the assembly with an olive branch, while an archbishop conveyed his message.
In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI delivered his last Sunday prayer before retiring—the first papal resignation in 600 years. A crowd filled St. Peter’s Square, showing him overwhelming support as he clarified that he was retiring for prayerful reasons relating to his age, not as a separation from the church.
Later that same year, during his first Angelus, Pope Francis emphasized mercy, a theme woven deeply throughout his papacy. Addressing the crowd, he remarked, “A bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.”
Francis consistently used these blessings to advocate for peace, notably calling for resolutions to conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, while also ending with a relatable, warm wish: “Have a good lunch.”
This article delves into the profound cultural and spiritual significance of this longstanding papal tradition, reflecting on its historical evolution and impact on the faithful.