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Pope Francis officially opened the Christmas celebrations at the Vatican on Thursday with a festive service in St. The fair was held with a limited number of participants, around 200 people, to protect against infection. In view of the Corona rules, the Vatican had to advance the fair. It started at 7:30 p.m., earlier than usual, because in Italy there is a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day.
The mass in memory of the birth of Christ some 2,000 years ago was broadcast live in various countries and on the Internet. The leader of the Catholic Church placed the theme of God’s grace at the center of his sermon. “The food of life is to love God and neighbor,” said the Holy Father. Instead of feeling sorry, let the believers be called to help their neighbor care for him. “God’s love reminds us that the time we have should not be used to feel sorry for us, but to comfort those who suffer,” Francis said.
The 84-year-old Pope will not recite the Christmas message on December 25 and the blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (“The city and the world”) from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, but in the blessing room of the Cathedral. (apa)
