Tens of thousands of Catholics typically visit Rome in December to attend services at the Vatican. (File)
Vatican City:
Pope Francis will have to forgo meeting with Catholics at the annual Advent and Christmas masses at the Vatican due to the resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic, the Specialized Catholic News Agency (CNA) reported on Monday.
The 83-year-old pontiff was deprived of congregation at Easter when he had to celebrate mass in Saint Peter’s with very few people present.
In a letter to foreign envoys at the Vatican, his foreign minister informed them that the Christmas ceremonies would take “a private form” this year.
Members of the diplomatic corps would not be present and events would be made available online, according to a document viewed by CNA.
Tens of thousands of Catholics typically visit Rome in December to attend services at the Vatican.
The Pope has scheduled a prayer in St. Peter’s Square on December 8 instead of a public appearance in honor of the Virgin Mary, but he still has to celebrate mass on Christmas Eve and deliver his traditional Urbi et Orbi message in the world.
The Argentinian-born pontiff likes to greet the public, but since the Covid-19 pandemic hit Italy, he has had to reduce his agenda, canceling trips, receptions and ceremonies.
Italy has reimposed restrictions to tackle a second wave of the pandemic, and officials face backlash after ordering restaurants and bars to close from 6 p.m. and theaters, cinemas and gymnasiums closed for one month.
The virus has killed more than 37,000 people in Italy, but thousands have also fled in recent days to protest restrictions on social activities.
(Except for the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is posted from a syndicated feed.)
