Urbi et Orbi

[2] In the 4th century, Pope Damasus I wrote in a letter to the bishops of Illyricum: Unde iustum est, omnes in Universo Romanorum Orbe Doctores legis, ea, quae legis sunt, sapere, et non fidem doctrinis variis maculare ("Wherefore it is just that all the teachers of the law in the universe of the Roman world should be wise in the things of the law, and not to tarnish the faith with various doctrines").

[3] The ritual of the papal blessing Urbi et Orbi developed in the 13th century during the reign of Pope Gregory X, who consulted Niccolò and Maffeo Polo before his election.

[7] Since 1985, this indulgence is granted not only to the people in Saint Peter's Square, but also to those who though unable to be physically present, "piously follow" it by radio or television.

[12] For this blessing, the Apostolic Penitentiary loosened the requirements to receive the Eucharist and go to confession, due to the impossibility for people affected by lockdowns and suspension of liturgies.

[13] The Salus Populi Romani image and a crucifix from the church of San Marcello al Corso – both seen as miraculous – were brought to the square for the occasion.

(Neka vi e čestit Božiḱ i Nova Godina) (Khristos vŭzkrese) (Chestito Rozhdestvo Khristovo) (Hristos Voskrese.)

(Paaska kee shubhakaamanaen) (Khrist ke janm utsav kee shubhakaamanaen) (Kiṟistu piṟanta tiṉa vāḻttukkaḷ) (Uyirppu thirunaalil ellaavarkkum hrudayamgamaaya mangalangal) (Thiruppiraviyute aashamsakal nerunnu) (Fùhuójié kuàilè) (Shèngdànjié kuàilè) (Go fukkatsu omedetō gozaimasu) (Kurisumasu-to shínnen omédetō gozáimasu) (buhwal-eul chughahabnida) (gippeun seongtan-e hangug-ui pyeonghwaleul binola) (S̄uk̄h s̄ạnt̒ wạn pạs̄kā dæ̀ chāw thịy thuk thuk th̀ān) (S̄uk̄hs̄ạnt̒ wạn khris̄t̒mās̄ s̄mp̣hph dæ̀ phī̀n̂xng chāw thịy thī̀rạk thuk khn) Prior to the occupation of Rome by the army of the Kingdom of Italy (20 September 1870), this blessing was given more frequently and at specific basilicas at Rome: On the occasion of a Holy Year the pope gave the blessing on other occasions too for the benefit of pilgrims.

[18] Pope Pius IX, who considered himself a "prisoner in the Vatican" gave the solemn blessing of Urbi et Orbi from the balcony of the Quirinal Palace.