Papal liturgical celebrations for the Christmas Season
The Holy See Press Office publishes the schedule of Pope Francis’ liturgical celebrations for this year’s holiday season, including Christmas Mass During the Night and Mass with Baptisms in the Sistine Chapel.
By Vatican News
On Sunday, 24 December, Pope Francis will preside over the Nativity of the Lord—Mass During the Night in St. Peter’s Basilica at 7:30 PM.
The appointment is listed in the schedule of pontifical liturgical celebrations, published on Tuesday by the Holy See Press Office.
This year, too, the Pope is scheduled to maintain the early time that was inaugurated in 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions, then confirmed in 2021 and 2022.
Christmas Urbi et Orbi
On the following day, Monday, 25 December, Christmas Day, the Pope will impart the Urbi et Orbi (“To the city and the world”) blessing from the Central Loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica at 12:00 PM.
On Sunday, 31 December, at 5:00 PM, in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis will preside over the celebration of First Vespers and the Te Deum in thanksgiving for the concluding year.
January celebrations
On Monday, 1 January, which is also the 57th World Day of Peace, the Pope will preside over Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Most Holy Mother of God, in St. Peter’s Basilica at 10:00 AM.
Then, a few days later, he will preside over the Mass for the Solemnity of the Epiphany on 6 January at 10:00 AM.
Finally, on 7 January, Pope Francis will preside over the Eucharistic celebration in the Sistine Chapel for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord at 9:30 AM, during which he will baptize several children.