At the Angelus on Sunday, March 22nd, Pope Francis announced that this coming Friday, March 27th, at 6:00 pm Rome time (1:00 p.m local time), the Pope will preside over a moment of prayer on the sagrata of Saint Peter’s Basilica, before the empty square. He invites everyone to participate spiritually through the means of communication. There will be reading of the Word of God, petitions, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, with which at the end, the Pope will give the Urbi et Orbi blessing. This will be broadcast by Vatican Media here and will also be shared to the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at 1:00 p.m. local time.

Read the full story from the Vatican at this link.

On Wednesday, March 25, at 7:00 a.m. local time (12:00 p.m. Rome time), Pope Francis invited all Christians to join together in praying the Our Father as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic. On that day on which many Christians recall the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary of the Incarnation of the Word, may the Lord listen to the united prayer of all of His disciples who are preparing themselves to celebrate the victory of the Risen Christ.

Here in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, we invited the faithful to pray on social media at 7:00 a.m. local time. And, in solidarity with Pope Francis’ invitation, Bishop Parkes prayed the Our Father and the Angelus with the faithful on Facebook Live at 12:00 p.m. local time. Watch the video below.