Pope Leo XIV on his election day On May 8, 2025, the newly elected pope, Leo XIV, delivered his first remarks to the world, a message that included the formal blessing known as the Urbi et Orbi (Latin: “To the City and to the World”). (more) What Is the Urbi et Orbi Blessing? Written by René Ostberg René Ostberg is an associate editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica. René Ostberg Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Apr. 7, 2026 •History On April 5, 2026, Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Easter mass since his election as leader of the Roman Catholic Church the previous May. After the mass he delivered the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing to the crowd assembled in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. Although the pope celebrates mass regularly on Sundays, feast days, and many other occasions, the Urbi et Orbi blessing is much rarer, reserved for solemn events in the...

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