Due to the new coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis will not take part in the traditional December 8 event in central Rome, the Vatican said on Monday.
On December 8, when the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated, the Pope usually visits the statue of the Virgin Mary near the Spanish Steps. This tradition dates back to 1953 and usually gathers a lot of tourists.
However, due to the pandemic this year, the pope will not visit the statue, the Vatican spokesman Mateo Bruni said.
Instead, the Pope will pray to the Virgin Mary in private prayer for Rome, its people and the sick all over the world, Bruni revealed.
Due to the pandemic, the pope’s agenda has been changed several times this year.
In April, the Pope had to read his Easter message in St. Peter’s Basilica behind closed doors, although the Pope usually reads this message while standing on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, and thousands of believers listen to it in the square next to the basilica.
Christmas services in the Vatican are also expected to take place without the traditional crowds.
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