Vatican City, Mar 27, 2021 / 07:00 am (CNA).- The Vatican Dicastery for Communication has released a book marking the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ extraordinary “Urbi et Orbi” blessing as the coronavirus pandemic swept the world.

Pope Francis presided over a time of solemn prayer and Eucharistic adoration on March 27, 2020, before offering the blessing in an empty, rainswept St. Peter’s Square.