In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis will offer prayers and a special blessing in a live streamed service before an empty square outside St. Peter’s Basilica today at 1 p.m. ET.

The Urbi et Orbi (“from the city to world”) blessing will be shown on Catholic-run television channels, such as EWTN and Catholic TV. It will streamed on the Vatican’s YouTube channel, Facebook page, Twitter and websites like catholictv.org and vaticannews.va

Pope Francis will pray from the sagrato of St. Peter’s Basilica, the platform at the top of the steps immediately in front of the church façade.

The papal blessing follows Wednesday’s live-streamed ceremony during which Christians of all denominations were able to join the pope in praying the “Our Father.”

The director of the Holy See Press Office confirmed that the moment of prayer on Friday will be broadcast live from the Vatican, beginning at 6 p.m. Rome time. He noted that a plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful suffering from COVID-19.

The initiative was announced by the pontiff Sunday during the Angelus when he said, “I invite everyone to participate spiritually through the means of communication.”

There are more than 552,000 cases of coronavirus worldwide, resulting in more than 25,000 deaths.

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