Pope Francis would celebrate Christmas without congregation this year, according to a report.
Pope Francis would celebrate Christmas without congregation this year due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, according to a report.
This, as the Catholic News Agency (CNA) on Monday reported that the Pope would have to forego meeting Catholics at the annual Advent and Christmas masses in the Vatican.
Pope Francis was deprived of a congregation at Easter when the Pope had to celebrate mass at Saint Peter’s with very few churchgoers present.
Vatican’s foreign minister informed foreign envoys to the Vatican in a letter that Christmas ceremonies would take “a private form” this year.
A document seen by Catholic News Agency said that members of the diplomatic corps won’t be present and events will be made available online.
Tens of thousands of Catholics typically visited Rome in December in order to attend services at the Vatican.
READ ALSO: Pope Francis Names Archbishop Jose F. Advincula of Capiz As New Cardinal
Pope Francis had scheduled a prayer on Saint Peter’s Square on December 8, 2020, in lieu of a public appearance to honor the Virgin Mary, but he’s still due to celebrate mass on Christmas Eve and to deliver his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” message to the world.
The Pope was fond of greeting the public, but he has had to curtail his agenda and also cancelling his trips, receptions, and ceremonies as well since the pandemic hit Italy.
Italy had re-imposed restrictions in order to battle a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic and officials faced a backlash after ordering restaurants and bars to close from 6:00 pm and cinemas, theatres, and gyms to close for a month.
Meanwhile, the Pope name 13 new cardinals — including Archbishop Jose F. Advincula of Capiz — during his Sunday Angelus in the Vatican.
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