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A juggler entertains underprivileged children while celebrating Christmas in Ahmedabad
Vatican City, Holy See:
Hundreds of millions around the world celebrated reduced Christmas holidays on Friday due to coronavirus restrictions, as Pope Francis called for vaccinations for all, describing them as “rays of hope in this period of darkness and uncertainty.”
The pandemic has claimed more than 1.7 million lives and is still rampant in much of the world, but the recent launch of massive vaccination campaigns has raised hopes that 2021 could bring a respite.
Like so many around the world, the Pope was forced to break with normal Christmas tradition, holding his annual “Urbi et Orbi” address by video from the apostolic palace, to prevent crowds from gathering in St. Peter’s Square.
“I call on everyone, state leaders, companies, international organizations, to promote cooperation and not competition, to find a solution for everyone: vaccines for everyone, especially for the most vulnerable and more in need in all regions of the planet, “he said.
In her own annual Christmas address, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II also spoke of hope during “difficult and unpredictable times.”
“Of course, for many, this time of year will be tinged with sadness: some mourn the loss of loved ones, and others miss friends and family estranged for safety, when all they really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a hug. handshake, “he said.
“If you are among them, you are not alone,” she added, saying she was proud of those in the UK and around the world who “have met the challenges of the year superbly.
Britain has been through a particularly difficult time after the discovery of a new strain of coronavirus that is believed to spread much faster.
It had already been one of the hardest countries in Europe, which passed a total of 25 million confirmed cases this Friday.
Last week it became the first region in the world where more than 500,000 people have died from the virus.
‘A way out of this tragedy’
The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in a video message that “vaccines are offering the world a way out of this tragedy” but that “it will take time.”
Tedros praised the “heartbreaking sacrifices” millions were making by staying away from loved ones on Christmas Day.
“We must not waste their sacrifices,” he said, calling on people to maintain infection control measures.
In Asia, South Korean churches were practically empty, with worshipers gathering online as the country reported a new daily case record.
“It’s really heartbreaking to watch,” said Park Jae-woo, a member of the Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, who would typically expect up to 10,000 worshipers, but was only able to host 15 staff and choir members on Friday.
And in the Catholic-majority Philippines, services were shaken when a 6.3-magnitude earthquake shook the country, culminating a convulsive yuletide already silenced by bans on parties and carol singing.
“Sad, very sad. Seeing everyone wearing masks, even the priest and altar boys, reminded me that the world I know is not the same,” said Kyen Quimpo Mallonga, a Manila resident, after watching the Christmas Eve mass at the television instead of attending it. Local church.
Despite the warm weather, the usual picnic crowds also avoided the sands of Sydney’s Bondi Beach, while the waves were empty of surfing Santas and patrolling police officers enforcing social distancing rules.
Thin crowds in Bethlehem
Bethlehem, where Christians believe Jesus was born, prepared for a Christmas like no other in its recent history.
Christmas Eve Mass at the Church of the Nativity is traditionally the highlight of a Christmas season in which hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to the Palestinian city in the occupied West Bank.
The service was held online this year, and only clergy and select individuals were allowed inside the basilica.
“Everyone feels darkened, tired, exhausted, oppressed for too long under the heavy weight of this pandemic that is besieging our lives,” said the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
In war-torn northeast Syria, hundreds of residents of a predominantly Christian neighborhood in the city of Qamishli shed their face masks and donned Santa hats, tossing precautions into the wind to celebrate a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. .
“We were concerned that the celebrations would be canceled this year due to the new coronavirus, but as you can see, everyone is here celebrating and we are happy,” said Maria Danhou, a 36-year-old mother of two.
Vacation isolation
Germany has been forced to cancel its famous Christmas markets, while in Kuwait, churches were closed until January 10 despite being home to a large Christian community.
For many, the isolation that has defined last year will continue beyond Christmas Day, as in Belgium, where residents are largely limited to receiving a single visitor.
The British, meanwhile, found themselves isolated from parts of the world due to the emergence of the new strain Covid-19.
Some UK border restrictions have been temporarily relaxed for the holidays, but thousands of other European countries are still stranded in England.
“Home for Christmas? Forget it,” said Laurent Beghin, a French trucker who delivered his load but was still stuck days later.
However, more than 1,000 waiting trucks arrived at the French port of Calais on Friday, hoping that the bottleneck would clear on Saturday.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is posted from a syndicated feed.)
