Pope Francis' Christmas liturgies will take place without an audience

Pope Francis' Christmas liturgies at the Vatican this year will be offered without public participation, as countries continue to react to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to a letter viewed by Cna and sent by the Secretariat of State to embassies accredited to the Holy See, Pope Francis will celebrate the Vatican liturgies for the Christmas period "privately without the presence of members of the Diplomatic Corps".

The letter, sent by the general affairs section on October 22, states that the liturgies will be streamed online. Diplomats accredited to the Holy See usually attend papal liturgies as special guests.

Due to the pandemic measures, including a two-month national blockade of Italy, Pope Francis also offered the 2020 Easter liturgies without the presence of the public.

Italy has seen a dramatic increase in positive coronavirus cases, as well as an increase in hospitalizations and deaths, in recent weeks, leading the government to issue new containment measures, including the complete closure of gyms and theaters and a closure at 18:00 for bars and restaurants except takeaway. Parties and receptions are also suspended. Since the beginning of this month, it has been ordered to always wear face masks in public, even outdoors.

During Advent and Easter, the program of the pope's public liturgies and masses is usually particularly busy, with thousands of participants in the masses in St. Peter's Basilica.

In past years the Pope has offered a Mass on December 12 for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and a ceremony and prayer on December 8 in the Spanish Steps in Rome for the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

According to the 2020 papal public events program published on the Vatican website, instead of a mass on December 8, the pope will lead the Angelus in St. Peter's Square to celebrate the day.

During the Christmas period, on 24 December the Pope celebrates the midnight Mass for the Nativity of the Lord in St. Peter's Basilica and on Christmas day he gives the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing from the central loggia of the Basilica.

In past years he has also prayed First Vespers on December 31, followed by Mass on January 1 for the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, both in St. Peter's Basilica.

These events are not listed on Pope Francis' public program for 2020, with the exception of the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing on Christmas Day. The pope is still scheduled to deliver all of his typical Angelus addresses and to hold the Wednesday general audience every week except Christmas.

The schedule of public events does not extend beyond December 2020, so it is unclear whether Pope Francis will publicly celebrate any of the January 2021 liturgies, including the January 6 Epiphany Mass.

It is also not known whether Pope Francis will baptize the children of Vatican employees next year and recite a private mass for them and their families for the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, as per his tradition.