Pope Francis leading the consistory that appoints the new cardinals at Saint Peter's Basilica on February 14, 2015 -
Andreas Solaro AFP
After Easter, celebrated during confinement in an almost deserted St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis will again officiate without worshipers for Advent and Christmas masses, the Catholic News Agency (CNA) said on Monday.
In a letter to the foreign representations to the Holy See, the Secretariat of State - Ministry of Foreign Affairs - of the Vatican indicates that the Christmas ceremonies will take place "in a private form".
They will be held "without the presence of members of the diplomatic corps" usually invited, and will be broadcast online, underlines the document consulted by CNA.
The Christmas homily and the “Urbi et Orbi” speech maintained
The month of December is traditionally marked by a series of liturgical festivals that attract thousands of pilgrims to the Italian capital.
On the 8th, the Pope pays a visit to the foot of a statue of Mary in the Spanish Steps for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a public holiday in Italy.
Instead of the usual Mass, this year the Sovereign Pontiff will say the Angelus from Saint Peter's Square, according to the calendar published on the Holy See's website.
On the other hand, for the moment, the Christmas homily on the evening of the 24th is maintained, followed by the pope's “Urbi et Orbi” speech to the city of Rome and to the world.
Since the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic in Italy in the spring, Argentinian Pope Jorge Bergoglio, 83, has had to give up the walkabouts he loves, his trips abroad and the countless ceremonies and receptions that punctuate pontifical life in the Vatican city-state.
Society
Religion: Pope Francis in favor of a "civil union" for people of the same sex
Society
What can the pope's “benevolent” statements towards LGBT people change?
Christmas
Vatican
Covid 19
Pope Francis
Pope
World
Coronavirus