Apostolic Blessing

The Apostolic Blessing or papal blessing is a blessing imparted by the Pope, either directly or by delegation through others. Bishops are empowered to grant it three times a year and any priest can do so for the dying.

The Apostolic Blessing is not to be confused with an episcopal blessing, also known as a pontifical blessing, which bishops can impart at any time by their own authority.

A particularly solemn form of imparting the Apostolic Blessing is as an Urbi et Orbi blessing, but it can be given also by letter or by a parchment scroll granted to individuals for some significant occasion, and no particular form of words is required.

The Pope gives his blessing in many ways. He may use, with or without the introductory liturgical greeting, Dominus vobiscum, the formula of pontifical blessing that any other bishop may use. This was the formula used by Pope Paul VI (without Dominus vobiscum) when he gave his blessing at his first appearance on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica following his election at the 1963 conclave, and by Pope Benedict XVI (with "Dominus vobiscum") after announcing on 11 February 2013 his intention to resign the papacy, and (without "Dominus vobiscum") at his farewell audience for the cardinals. At a general audience, when the blessing immediately follows the singing of the Pater Noster, it is naturally given without "Dominus vobiscum". Pope Francis however has chosen to include Dominus vobiscum when imparting the apostolic blessing at his general audiences.

Letters sent by the Pope to Catholics often conclude with the granting of the Apostolic Blessing to the person addressed and to others associated with that person. An example is the letter of Pope Francis to Cardinal Agostino Vallini on the 25th anniversary of his episcopal ordination.

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Wikipedia