For thousands of Catholic pilgrims in Rome, it’s the unmissable Vatican appointment: the midday Sunday blessing the pope delivers from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.

Novenas are a traditional form of Catholic prayer and are usually prayed for nine straight days — there are exceptions, however. Thursday, July 03, 2025. A service of EWTN News.

A novena is a traditional form of Catholic prayer lasting nine days. Typically, novenas focus on asking God for a specific intention, and many are prayed through a saint’s intercession.

VATICAN CITY — For thousands of Catholic pilgrims in Rome, it’s the unmissable Vatican appointment: the midday Sunday blessing the pope delivers from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — For thousands of Catholic pilgrims in Rome, it’s the unmissable Vatican appointment: the midday Sunday blessing the pope delivers from a window overlooking St. Peter’s ...

VATICAN CITY (AP) — For thousands of Catholic pilgrims in Rome, it’s the unmissable Vatican appointment: the midday Sunday blessing the pope delivers from a window overlooking St. Peter’s ...

In 1954, which he had declared a special year of veneration to the Virgin Mary, Pope Pius XII started reciting in public a traditional Catholic midday prayer to her.

For thousands of Catholic pilgrims in Rome, it’s the unmissable Vatican appointment: the midday Sunday blessing the pope delivers from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square. In 1954, which ...