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Pope Francis at Christmas Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica
© APA / AFP
Without shaking hands to greet peace, without preparing gifts: under the conditions of Corona, Pope Francis celebrated the traditional Christmas mass in St. At the mass on the occasion of the birth of Jesus Christ, the head of the Catholic Church recalled the charity.
“Insatiable we want more and that is why we rush to the many dining rooms of vanity and forget about the nativity scene in Bethlehem,” he said Thursday night at Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.
With reference to the Christmas story, Francis added in his sermon that this manger was poor in everything but rich in love and taught that the food of life consists in being loved by God and in loving others. The pontiff also warned that his life should not be used to feel sorry for himself, but to “comfort the tears of those who suffer.”
In the year of Corona, the Christmas mass had to be brought forward to 7.30pm, as stricter Corona rules apply to holidays in Italy and thus also restrictions on departure from 10pm. a little over 100 believers, fewer people celebrated Mass at St.
The limited scope of this year’s Christmas celebrations due to Corona obviously upset the Pope. According to Vatican experts, the 84-year-old is saddened by how Christmas will be celebrated this year. Also, the cardinals in the inner circle around Francis had recently hired Corona.
The pandemic is also an opportunity to bring the meaning of Christmas back to the fore and not consumption, Francis had emphasized beforehand. This makes Christmas more authentic. You also have to think about the sick and lonely on vacation. A phone call, for example, is sufficient.
The Christmas celebrations will continue on Friday when Francis wants to give the “Urbi et orbi” blessing in the Hall of Blessings of the Apostolic Palace. On this occasion, the Pope also wants to announce his Christmas message.
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