[ad_1]
Pope Francis must deliver his Christmas Day message indoors due to coronavirus restrictions, the Vatican said.
The Pope traditionally delivers his message “Urbi y Orbi” (For the city and the world) from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on December 25.
But this year, Italy has imposed tough new restrictions over the Christmas and New Year period to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Pope Francis delivered an early mass Thursday to a small congregation in St. Peter’s Basilica to observe the 10 p.m. curfew in Italy.
To celebrate the Christmas vigil, the service began at 7:30 pm local time, with attendees wearing masks.
Also in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions, the Pope will not make appearances in St. Peter’s Square during the Christmas season, where he would generally offer blessings to the crowd.
In his homily, the Pope said “This is Christmas: the birth of Jesus is the” novelty “that allows us to be reborn each year and find in him the necessary strength to face each test.”
