'24 Hours for the Lord', the Holy Father presides over this Lenten initiative of prayer and forgiveness

Pope Francis will open the eleventh edition of the '24 Hours for the Lord' Lenten initiative on Friday, March 8, dedicated to prayer and reconciliation, at the Roman parish of San Pio V., according to a statement from the Dicastery for Evangelization.

Dioceses all over the world observe this annual initiative on the eve of Lent's fourth Sunday. The Holy Father inaugurated it at the start of his pontificate. For this year, the theme is taken from Romans chapter 6:  "Walking in a New Life."

Pope Francis will preside over the service starting at 4:30 p.m. at the parish in Rome's Aurelio district, near the Vatican.

There will be an opportunity for the faithful to receive the Sacrament of Confession from Pope Francis himself. 

On Friday evening and throughout the day on Saturday, in preparation for Easter, ecclesial communities are encouraged to provide extraordinary openings of churches and to offer the faithful the opportunity to confess and to pause in adoration at any time.

Since last year, the Holy Father has decided to preside over the '24 Hours for the Lord' in a different church within the Roman capital to encourage parish participation.

The Dicastery for Evangelization invites all dioceses and parishes, in Italy and around the world, to celebrate the moment of prayer and forgiveness in one's community.

It has made available pastoral aids to assist in personal prayer and community celebrations in preparation for the event.  The Pope announced this year to be the “Year of Prayer”.  (MTV)