Rome, November 27, 2021 – Christmas mass anticipated also this year at 19.30 of the eve. Feast of‘Immaculate, on December 8, celebrated with an act of private devotion. They are the decisions of Pope francesco, the Vatican makes known, to avoid gatherings and the consequent risk of contagion of Covid 19.
On 8 December the pontiff “will perform an act of private devotion, praying to Our Lady to protect the Romans, the city in which they live and the sick who need her maternal protection everywhere in the world “.
Not only. The Mass of the ‘Christmas night, on 24 December, will be celebrated at 19.30. It is the same time that had been established last year when the Christmas holidays were ‘compressed’ by the 10 pm curfew. According to the Vatican tradition, it was a two-hour advance since the midnight Mass actually, already from times of Benedict XVI, was celebrated at 21.30, a time that Pope Francis had maintained until last year.
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The Immaculate Conception
Last year the Pope went by surprise alone, in the rain, to Piazza di Spagna at dawn, when there were only the firefighters who prepared the floral tribute to be placed on top of the statue. It is not excluded that also this year it may repeat the initiative. The advance of the time of the Mass on December 24, as well as the private celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, would be a choice linked to ‘prudential reasons’, transpires from Vatican sources, because the situation of the pandemic is constantly evolving and does not he knows exactly what the situation will be in a few weeks, when the rites of the Christmas celebrations are in full swing.
Christmas night
The time chosen for the Mass in the Vatican will also make it possible to maintain a more contained presence in the celebration, thus avoiding gatherings. It should be remembered that for Masses it is not needed the Green pass but only compliance with anti-Covid rules, from masks to the spacing of seats in the church. At the moment, however, there is no particular indication for the Masses that will be celebrated in Italian parishes. Last year they had been anticipated everywhere but it is likely that this year we will return to the ancient times close to midnight, as per tradition.
Blessing Urbi et Orbi
Returning instead to the Pope’s agenda, in addition to the Mass on 24 December at 19.30, in fact, in St. Peter’s Basilica, the morning of Saturday 25 December, at 12, the traditional Blessing To the city and to the world. The place has not yet been indicated and therefore it is not certain whether we will return to the celebration of this moment in St. Peter’s Square, with the Pope facing the Loggia of blessings; the appointment was particularly busy every year. Last year it was held indoors, in the Hall of Blessing, with a very limited attendance but with about 150 broadcasters connecting to the event.
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