Requests for Papal Blessings are made through the”Elemosineria Apostolica”, the department of the Holy See that is responsible for carrying out charitable actions for the needy in the name of the Supreme Pontiff.
The Esmoler of His Holiness has the power to grant the Apostolic Blessing by means of diplomas on parchment paper. Their authenticity lies in the Esmoler’s signature and the dry stamp of the Apostolic Elemosineria.
The granting of the Papal Blessing is free of charge, the amount charged is the cost of the parchment (16 to 24 euros depending on the model chosen and the occasion indicated) and the cost of its dispatch (by DHL express courier 18 to 30 euros, depending on the destination), as well as a contribution entirely dedicated to the exercise of Papal charity.
The donation form for the Apostolic Esmolaria is available at:
http://donatio.catholica.va/donatio/DONELE/start.page
The request for an apostolic blessing can be made online or in person at the offices of the Apostolic Elemosineria in Vatican City, Sant’Anna entrance, between 9am and 1.30pm, Monday to Saturday.
Ufficio Pergamene
00120 Vatican City
In the request, it is necessary to indicate:
- the name, surname and address of the applicant;
- The name, surname of the recipient(s) of the Blessing;
- The reason or circumstance for which the Blessing is requested;
- The date, name of the Church and the locality in which the circumstance for which the Blessing is requested takes place (necessary when it is a sacrament, religious profession or anniversary)
The form for requesting the Apostolic Blessing is available at:
Papal Blessing Parchments
The circumstances envisaged for the imparting of the Apostolic Blessing on parchment are as follows:
- Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation
- Marriage
- Priestly Ordination
- Religious profession
- Secular consecration
- Ordination of a permanent deacon
- Anniversary (10th, 25th , 40th ,50th ,60th ) of marriage*, Priestly ordination, Religious profession
- Birthday (18th, 50th, 60th, 80th, 90th, 100th)
- A Catholic person* or family (name and surname of spouses united in a religious marriage)
The approval of the ecclesiastical authority is obligatorily required (a favorable opinion is expected, that is, that the persons to whom the Pope Blessing is addressed are Catholics and practicing, expressed through the signature of the parish priest and the seal of the parish).