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To protect against the spread of the coronavirus, Pope Francis wants to donate the blessing “Urbi et orbi” on Christmas Day in the Hall of Blessing of the Apostolic Palace. The Pope’s blessing is not scheduled for Holy Week in St. Peter’s Basilica, as it was called from the Vatican. It starts at noon on Friday. So the Pope also wants to spread his Christmas message.
On Thursday, the pontiff had already celebrated the traditional Christmas mass in Corona conditions. At the mass on the occasion of the birth of Jesus Christ, the head of the Catholic Church recalled charity. “Insatiable, we want more and that is why we rush to the many troughs of vanity and forget the manger in Bethlehem.” Only a little more than 100 believers were able to attend the ceremony.
In the year of the crown pandemic, Francisco already had to restrict some fairs and celebrations. In particular, events attended by many believers were often held with a limited number of participants.
With the blessing “Urbi et orbi” (For the city and the world), the Pope forgives believers the punishments for their sins, if they have already blamed them in confession or prayers. It is usually donated at Easter and Christmas and when a new Pope is elected. “Urbi et orbi” aims at the city of Rome, whose bishop is the Pope, and the globe, that is, the world.
Back in March, the Pope called all Christians to pray together for the end of the crown pandemic and announced the special blessing “Urbi et Orbi” as a great exception. It was the first time that Francis combined this blessing with a special prayer. It is actually only spoken at Christmas, Easter, and after a papal election.
Francis had already emphasized beforehand that the pandemic was also an opportunity to bring back the meaning of Christmas and not consumption. This makes Christmas more authentic. You also have to think about the sick and lonely on vacation. A phone call, for example, is sufficient.
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