Pope celebrates Christmas Mass amid Covid-19

Pope Francis celebrated Christmas Mass at the Vatican in front of less than 100 worshipers instead of 10,000 as usual, due to restrictions due to Covid-19. This year’s small-scale event was held at the back of St. Peter in the Vatican, instead of the usual main building of the church. Mass also began about two hours earlier than usual, so that attendees could go home before 10 p.m., when Italy’s curfew took effect.

Pope celebrates Christmas Mass amid Covid-19

In his homily, Pope Francis urged believers to help those in need during the pandemic, instead of lamenting their own losses. “The Son of God is born outcast, to teach us that all the helpless are children of God,” the 84-year-old Pope said during his eighth Christmas Mass. The pope today plans to deliver his Urbi et Orbi Christmas blessing from inside the Vatican City, rather than from the central balcony of St. Peter, in the context that Italy and the Vatican are still under blockade.

This is the celebration of the Pope’s blessing to the city of Rome and to the whole world on three special occasions, Thanksgiving, Christmas and after being elected leader of the Catholic Church worldwide. Italy is one of the largest epidemic areas in the world, with more than 2 million infections and nearly 71,000 deaths. People are currently only allowed to move for work, medical or emergency reasons.