a love without borders

a love without borders

a blog about Claire and Pedro's stories and adventures

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
    • Lifestyle
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Vlog
  • Travel
    • Portugal
    • Philippines
    • Italy
  • Contact

Newlyweds: How to get special blessings by the Pope

Faith, Italy, Travel

Marriage is an important milestone in one’s life. For us Catholics, nothing is more memorable than to have it blessed by the pope. If you have been married for two months or less, this is something you can request: it’s called the Sposi Novelli blessing (Italian for “newlyweds”).

The pope gives a public audience every Wednesday morning. Tickets for all papal ceremonies are free of charge. You can go to the papal audience site and choose a date. Download the form here and address it to the Prefecture of the Papal Household. The form must be faxed to this number +390669885863. We recommend that you secure your reservation a few months in advance.

We understand that with the advance of technology, many people do not have access to faxes anymore. Unfortunately, the Vatican does not seem to process the applications through email yet, so we have to make do. One option is to pay for fax service at a paper store. But you can fax using your cellphone. We recommend downloading Faxapp at faxapp.com and avail their services for a fee. You can have your own local fax number and send faxes (via the website or fax software) over the internet without a landline and you can receive faxes delivered to your email inbox.

You need to collect your tickets in person the day before the audience. Be at the Bronze Door (right hand colonnade of St. Peter’s Square) between 15h00 to 19h00, local time. Bear in mind that there might be queuing. Also, when you are at the ticket office, you may have to produce your wedding certificate, so be prepared with that.

On the day of your scheduled Sposi Novelli audience with the pope, you should wear your wedding attire, and remember you are going to have to pass by a metal detector. Also, be there very early. The Vatican website recommends you to be there by 08h45, but we were there at around 08h00 and the lines were already long. The sooner you queue, the best chance you have to choose the best seats.

Depending on the weather and circumstances, the papal audience can be at St. Peter’s Square or at the Apostolic Palace, in San Damaso Courtyard. Either way, you will be out in the open, so remember to check the weather forecast, so as to know whether you should bring an umbrella or hat and sunscreen. We had to buy an umbrella near the place we stayed.

During the papal audience, there are Scripture readings, and the Pope preaches on them in Italian. He may also issue greetings to people in their native languages, according to the different nationalities in attendance. After this, he will say a small prayer and impart his Apostolic Blessing on those attending. After the audience is done, the Pope will come near the newlyweds and greet them. Also, bring with you any religious objects so the pope may bless them.

As the Holy Father greets the newlyweds, there is a photographer taking several pictures. At the end of the audience, you will receive a small flyer pointing you to the time and place inside the Vatican where you can get your pictures — usually the next day.

If, for some reason, you are not able to go to Rome in time to receive your Sposi Novelli blessing, you can always request the Apostolic Blessing on your wedding on a parchment for your house, here.

For Catholics like us, marriage is a sacrament, one of the holiest things in the world. Having our marriage blessed by the Vicar of Christ himself is a privilege, and one of our fondest memories of our honeymoon.

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

January 28, 2021 ·

About Claire and Pedro

We are a Luso-Filipino couple currently living in Portugal.

« How I proposed to a woman on the other side of the world
Inaugural post: Our love without borders »

Let’s Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

To be notified when we publish a post, please sign up below…

Loading

Recent Posts

  • The Fatima Hub: Discovering Portugal’s hidden treasures
  • Have you ever felt you were adopted by a Saint?
  • Our Special Ritual
  • A complete guide to visit Vista Alegre
  • Thirty-three days with Saint Joseph

Blog Post Categories

  • Faith
  • Lifestyle
  • Relationships
  • Travel
  • Italy
  • Philippines
  • Portugal

About Us

She is Filipina. He is Portuguese.  We are living in Portugal. We wish to tell our life stories and adventures.  


Loading
Out of the blue, my hubby gave me this long stem s Out of the blue, my hubby gave me this long stem sunflower! Aww. He is just the sweetest! #sunflower #amazinghusband #sweetestthing
#dailyfruits #redfruits #blueberries #blackberries #dailyfruits #redfruits #blueberries #blackberries #raspberries #healthyliving
It is that time of the year to wear these austrona It is that time of the year to wear these austronaut-like boots! Sapatilhas casa tipo bota :) Kept my feet extra warm these past few weeks of cold weather!
Happy to receive my package delivered last week. D Happy to receive my package delivered last week. Delicioso! We love these delish olives of Cerignola! I am also excited to use the Oilala oil for roasting chicken :)
First order of the first day of the year :) Mass a First order of the first day of the year :) Mass and offering of these flowers for Our Lady. Happy feast day! #1Jan2021
A blessed and wonderful birthday celebration :) Cl A blessed and wonderful birthday celebration :) Claire’s birthday #Jan17
#fridate #fridate
#fridate #dinnerdate #fridate #dinnerdate
We’re on Instagram! :) Welcome to our Instagram We’re on Instagram! :) Welcome to our Instagram space! 2019 prenup pic taken at the Crystal Pallace gardens with Douro River as a backdrop. #alovewithoutborders #instagramlaunch #claireandpedro #portoportugal

Copyright © 2023 — a love without borders • All rights reserved | Built and developed by Hello White Space

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
AcceptRejectRead More
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT