Papal Blessing

Information about Applying for Papal Blessing Parchments

There are two ways to apply for a Papal Blessing.

1. In Person

The Office of Papal Charities within Vatican City can be visited by entering the Saint Ann Gate (located to the right of the colonnade of Saint Peter’s Square) during office hours: 8:30 to 13:30 noon, Monday through Saturday.

2. Online

Click HERE to access the online site to request a papal blessing.

Be sure to have on hand:

– the name, surname and address of the person making the request;
– the name and surname of the person(s) for whom the blessing is being requested;
– the reason or occasion prompting the request;
– the date, the name of the Church and the address are required when the blessing is requested for the celebration of a sacrament, a religious profession or an anniversary;
– the address of where to send the parchment and payment details.

The time required for receiving the parchment is approximately one month from the date when the request is received.

3. Circumstances for which parchment papal blessings are granted

The Apostolic Blessing is granted for the following occasions:

1. Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation
2. Marriage
3. Priestly Ordination
4. Religious Profession
5. Secular Consecration
6. Ordinations of Permanent Deacons
7. Marriage Anniversaries (10, 25, 40, 50 , 60 years)*, Priestly Ordination, Religious Profession
8. Birthdays (18, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100)*
9. Catholic individuals* or families* (with name and surname of the spouses united in a religious marriage).

The asterisk (*) indicates the need for the nihil obstat or approval of ecclesiastical authority.

Requests for papal blessings for other occasions will not be accepted.

If you need help with the request, click on Assistance to send an email with your questions to the Chancellor of Spiritual Affairs.