The Papal Blessing
Every item we sell as "Blessed by Pope Leo XIV" was carried by us, in person, to the Pope's audience in St. Peter's Square. This page explains what the blessing is, how we obtain it in Rome, what arrives in your parcel, and what a blessing is not.
What a papal blessing is
During the General Audience and the Angelus, the Holy Father gives his Apostolic Blessing to everyone present and to the religious items they bring. A rosary, a medal, a cross or a bottle of holy water that receives this blessing becomes a sacramental: an object set apart for prayer, which joins your prayer to the prayer of the whole Church.
A papal blessing is not a sacrament and it is not magic. It does not turn an object into a charm. It is a sign of grace and an invitation to pray, and it stays with the object wherever it travels.
How our rosaries are blessed by the Pope in Rome
- We are in Rome. Catholically is based in Rome, Italy.
- We bring the items ourselves. We personally carry our rosaries, medals, crosses and holy water to the Papal audience in St. Peter's Square.
- The Pope blesses them. At the end of the General Audience, and at the Angelus, the Holy Father blesses those present and the religious items they carry.
- They ship to you from Rome. Each blessed item is set aside with care and ships with its holy card of the Papal blessing.
What you receive
Each blessed item ships from Rome with a holy card of the Papal blessing.
Some older pieces in our stock were first blessed by Pope Francis; brought to the audience again, they are now also blessed by Pope Leo XIV.
Blessing on request
If you order an item that is not marked as blessed, we can bring it to the audience on request: contact us right after ordering, before the parcel ships. The blessing takes place on Sunday and your parcel ships the following Monday. From 6 to 17 November the Holy Father is travelling in South America: items set aside for the blessing in that time go with us to the first Papal audience after his return to Rome. Read more: how to get a rosary blessed by Pope Leo XIV.
What a papal blessing is not
- It is not a sacrament. It is a sacramental, which prepares and supports prayer. It promises no outcome.
- It is not a personalised certificate. A handwritten Apostolic Blessing certificate with a person's name is a separate item, issued by the Vatican, and is not included with a blessed object.
- It is not lost in transit. The blessing is given while the item is present at the audience, and it stays with the item wherever it goes.
Frequently asked questions
Is a papal blessing different from a priest's blessing?
Both are valid and make the object a sacramental, set apart for prayer. Our items are blessed by Pope Leo XIV in Rome.
Does a blessed item lose its blessing?
No. The blessing stays with the item. If a rosary breaks, have it repaired; if it cannot be repaired, bury or burn it respectfully.
How do I know the item is really blessed?
We attend the audience ourselves in Rome, and every blessed item ships with a holy card of the Papal blessing.
Can I bring my own rosary to be blessed?
Yes, at a General Audience or the Angelus in Rome. See how to get a rosary blessed by Pope Leo XIV.
How long does delivery take?
We ship worldwide from Rome. Delivery to the US usually takes 2 weeks, and we pay the tariffs. A UPS upgrade with delivery in about 3 days can be chosen at checkout.
Rosaries and gifts blessed by the Pope
- Everything blessed by Pope Leo XIV: rosaries, medals, crosses, holy water and pieces with a second-class relic.
- Rosaries blessed by the Pope: every papal rosary we offer.
- Holy water, oil and salt blessed by Pope Leo XIV.