Versus populum

"Versus populum" is a Latin phrase that means "facing the people". When someone says a prayer or gives a speech in a church, they can either face the altar or face the people in the pews. When they face the people, they are doing it "versus populum". This is kind of like when a teacher stands in front of the class and talks to the students, because they are also facing the students. So when someone talks "versus populum" in a church, they are talking to the people in the pews instead of just talking to God.