Pope Francis will pray before an empty Square from the sagrato of St. Peter’s Basilica, the platform at the top of the steps immediately in front of the façade of the Church, as he explained when he made the announcement on Sunday and as he reiterated on Wednesday during the General Audience:
The blessing “to the City [of Rome] and to the World” is normally only given on Christmas and Easter.
The extraordinary moment of prayer in time of pandemic will last about an hour. The “Salus Populi Romani” icon and the crucifix of St. Marcellus, will be placed in front of the central door of St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar in the atrium of the Vatican Basilica.
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God bless the Holy Father with strength and stamina.