Pope Francis donates the traditional blessing “Urbi et Orbi” to the world on Christmas Day (German: The city and the world).
He also wants to announce his Christmas message to the faithful from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, as the Holy See announced. With the blessing, the Pope releases them from the penalties for their sins. Usually it is donated on Easter and Christmas – and when a new Pope has been elected.
At Christmas, Pope Francis had called on people to be humble. “Let’s not cry for the size that we don’t have. Let’s stop whining and long faces and let go of the greed that always leaves us unsatisfied, ”said the head of the Catholic Church on Friday evening during Christmas mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. People spent their years chasing success and wanted to climb onto a pedestal while God showed himself humbly, the pontiff preached.
The 85-year-old celebrated Christmas Eve again this year under Corona conditions. In St. Peter’s Basilica, around 1,500 believers and church representatives sat around the central papal altar. Because of the Corona requirements, they had to wear masks and keep the minimum distance.
According to Vatican experts, the Argentine Francis is unlikely to be satisfied with the more limited celebrations. Along with Easter, Christmas is one of the highlights of the church year for practicing Catholics. Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ that night.
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