Pope's Blessing After Regina Caeli on May 24, 2020 - Copyright: Vatican Media

For 1st Time in Months, Pope Francis to Recite Pentecost Regina Caeli With Faithful in the Square Socially Distant

Authorities Present Will Be Ensuring Individuals Follow Personal Distancing Rules

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Pope Francis, this Pentecost Sunday, will recite (from his usual window of the Apostolic Palace) the Regina Caeli with the faithful present in Saint Peter’s Square.

This May 31 appointment, marking the first time the Pope will have not read his address from his private library since Italy’s long lockdown, was announced by the Holy See Press Office, May 26.

«The police,» the note stated, «will guarantee safe access to the Square and will ensure the faithful respect the necessary interpersonal distances.»

Earlier on Pentecost Sunday, at 10 a.m., Pope Francis will celebrate Mass, without the participation of the faithful, in the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament in St. Peter’s Basilica.

For the first time since mid-March, this past Ascension Sunday, May 24th, people were present in St. Peter’s Square. They could follow the words of Pope Francis and the prayer on the jumbotrons. Pope Francis then blessed them from his window overlooking the Square.

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Deborah Castellano Lubov

Deborah Castellano Lubov is Senior Vatican & Rome Correspondent for ZENIT; author of 'The Other Francis' ('L'Altro Francesco') featuring interviews with those closest to the Pope and preface by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin (currently published in 5 languages); Deborah is also NBC & MSNBC Vatican Analyst. She often covers the Pope's travels abroad, often from the Papal Flight (including for historic trips such as to Abu Dhabi and Japan & Thailand), and has also asked him questions on the return-flight press conference on behalf of the English-speaking press present. Lubov has done much TV & radio commentary, including for NBC, Sky, EWTN, BBC, Vatican Radio, AP, Reuters and more. She also has contributed to various books on the Pope and has written for various Catholic publications. For 'The Other Francis': http://www.gracewing.co.uk/page219.html or https://www.amazon.com/Other-Francis-Everything-They-about/dp/0852449348/

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