Vatican City, Jan 13, 2009 / 14:57 pm
The Vatican has announced that Pope Benedict will grant a Plenary Indulgence to the faithful who “participate devotedly” in the Sixth World Meeting of Families scheduled to be held in Mexico City on January 14 – 18.
The decree, signed by Cardinal James Francis Stafford and Bishop Gianfranco Girotti, O.F.M. Conv., respectively penitentiary major and regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, made clear that the indulgence can be obtained “under the usual conditions: sacramental Confession, Eucharistic communion, prayer in keeping with the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff, and with the soul completely detached from any form of sin."
The decree also explained how those who cannot attend the meeting in Mexico can receive the indulgence. “Truly repentant faithful who are unable to participate in this event may nonetheless obtain Plenary Indulgence under the same conditions if, united in spirit and heart with the faithful present in Mexico City, they and their families recite the Our Father and the Creed, or other devout prayers, to invoke the aforementioned aims from Divine Mercy, especially at the moments in which the words and messages of the Pontiff are being transmitted by television and radio."