The grip of Covid still weighs in Italy and in the rest of the world and Pope Francis has decided to bring forward, once again this year, the Christmas 'night' Mass, on December 24, at 7.30 pm.
It is the same time that was set last year when the Christmas holidays were 'compressed' by the 10pm curfew. According to the Vatican tradition, it was a two-hour advance since the 'midnight' Mass was actually , since the time of Benedict XVI, it was celebrated at 21.30, a time that Pope Francis had maintained until last year.
Also on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Pope will renounce, as last year, the public event.
"To avoid gatherings, and the consequent risk of contagion from Covid 19, instead of the usual public homage to the Immaculate Conception, also next December 8 - they report from the Vatican - Pope Francis will perform an act of private devotion, praying to Our Lady to protect the Romans , the city where they live and the sick who need her maternal protection everywhere in the world ". Last year the Pope went by surprise alone, in the rain, to Piazza di Spagna at dawn, when there were only the firefighters who were preparing the floral tribute to be placed on top of the statue. 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 it is not known exactly what the situation will be in a few weeks, when the rites of the Christmas celebrations are in full swing.
The time chosen for Mass in the Vatican, in the late afternoon, will also allow you to be able to maintain a more contained presence in the celebration, thus avoiding gatherings. It should be remembered that the green pass is not required for Masses, 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. Returning instead to the Pope's agenda, in addition to the Mass on 24 December at 19.30, in fact, in the Basilica of San Pietro, the traditional Blessing is scheduled for Saturday 25 December, at 12. "Urbi et Orbi ".
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.
