Pope Francis(Pixabay)

On Friday, Pope Francis is scheduled to lead the beginning of the '24 Hours for the Lord' event with a pentitential celebration in St. Peter's Basilica.

The event, promoted and organized by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, aims to enable people to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Every diocese around the world will be open for this event for 24 hours. 

In his Lenten Message for 2018, the Pope invited everyone to take part in the event and see it as an "opportunity to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation in the context of Eucharistic adoration."

The Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization also released its statement regarding this year's initiative and its president, Archbishop Salvatore Fisichella, said "The objective is to offer to all - especially to those who feel uncomfortable entering a church - the opportunity to seek the merciful embrace of God."

He also said that it is "a unique occasion to return to the Father."

This is the fifth year of the 24 Hours for the Lord initative and interested parties may be able to read the details of this event through the official website of the council [click here].