Receive the diocesan or eparchial papal blessing

Receive the authorized papal blessing from the bishop responsible for your pastoral care, or the authority legally equivalent to that bishop.

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Time required Duration of the authorized papal blessing

When: One of the three solemn feast days designated under Norm 7
Where: At the end-of-Mass rite, or through the live broadcast described by the grant
Who: Faithful entrusted to the care of the diocesan or eparchial bishop or legally equivalent authority
Application: Self or the departed

The prescribed work

This is the papal blessing with the indulgence, imparted with its prescribed formula, not every episcopal blessing.
Under Norm 7, diocesan or eparchial bishops and authorities legally equivalent to them, even without episcopal ordination, may impart it in their own diocese or eparchy on three solemn feast days they designate each year.
It is imparted at the end of Mass in place of the usual blessing, according to the applicable ceremonial, even if the bishop only assists at Mass.
If reasonably unable to attend, devoutly follow the rite’s live television or radio transmission.

The work and its conditions

A plenary indulgence also requires complete detachment from every sin, sacramental confession, Holy Communion, and prayer for the Pope’s intentions, subject to the grant’s stated exceptions. The ordinary limit is one plenary indulgence per day.

Conditions common to every indulgence

The person gaining an indulgence must be baptized, not excommunicated, and in the state of grace at least when the prescribed works are completed. There must be at least a general intention to gain indulgences, and the prescribed work must be performed at the time and in the manner required by the grant.

Read the full conditions and norms. The cited grant and its specific provisions govern.

Time required

Read each branch with its own conditions. An editorial estimate is not a prescribed minimum.

Prescribed work

Complete the prescribed event

Duration of the authorized papal blessing

No fixed number of minutes is prescribed. Measure the specially authorized papal blessing in its prescribed end-of-Mass setting; the surrounding Mass adds time in practice. Norm 7 also covers legally equivalent authorities, even without episcopal ordination. Follow the announced live rite.

Timing sources

What the time estimate excludes

Ordinary travel to and from the venue, and waiting outside the prescribed work
Preparation and separately fulfilled sacramental conditions, except where the prescribed work itself includes Communion or a liturgical celebration

Source and exact reference

Prayer texts and grants have separate source histories. Consult the grant source for the prescribed work, occasion, and conditions.