“I wish you a good Sunday and a Christmas Eve in prayer, in the warmth of affection and in sobriety and, if you allow me, a recommendation: do not confuse the celebration with consumerism,” the Pope said during the Angelus prayer in Praça of St. Peter, in Vatican City.
“As Christians you can celebrate simply and without waste, sharing with others who do not have the necessary things or who do not have company,” said the leader of the Catholic Church, leaning out of the window of the papal palace.
Francis also asked not to forget the “brothers who suffer from war” this Christmas and invited everyone to “think about Palestine, Israel and Ukraine and those who suffer from poverty, hunger and slavery.”
The Pope, who is still recovering from bronchitis, will preside over all Christmas liturgical events, starting with today’s celebration of Midnight Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Mass begins at 7:30 PM (6:30 PM in Lisbon), as has been customary in recent years, instead of waiting until midnight so that the faithful can eat with their families.
On Christmas morning, Francis will appear again at noon (11 a.m. in Lisbon) on the central balcony of the Vatican Basilica, as on the day of his election, to read the Christmas message, focused on the evil and wars of the world , and bestow the blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city of Rome and the whole world).
On December 31, First Vespers are celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica at 5:00 PM (4:00 PM in Lisbon) and on January 1, Mass is celebrated for the Solemnity of Mary, the Most Holy Mother of God, which coincides with the World Day of Peace .
Christmas celebrations end on January 6 with the Epiphany Mass at 10am (9am in Lisbon) in São Pedro Square.
Source: DN
