Christmas Eve Mass with no limit on the number of people in 3 years… 7,000 Attendance at St. Peter’s Basilica
No direct mention of Ukraine… “Do something nice this Christmas”
Pope Francis urged the world to remember war-weary and poor people on Christmas Eve, the 24th (local time).
Pope Francis delivered this message in the homily of the Christmas Eve mass held in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
Unlike 2020-2021, when the number of attendees was limited due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection (Corona 19), around 7,000 worshipers filled St. Peter’s Basilica during this year’s Christmas Eve mass.
In addition, some 4,000 worshipers joined the Christmas Eve Mass on the outdoor screen in St. Peter’s Square.
“People obsessed with a thirst for wealth and power consume their neighbors, even their brothers and sisters,” said Pope Francis, “How many wars have we seen! You are treated like this!”
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, the pope has spoken in nearly every public place, denouncing the brutality of war and Russia’s senseless aggression, but he did not directly mention Ukraine at Christmas Eve mass .
While urging to take care of the weak, the pope urged not to get discouraged and to be courageous.
“As always, the main victims of this greed are the weak and vulnerable,” he said, condemning “a world hungry for money, power and pleasure.”
Then he said: «Let us not be dominated by fear, resignation and discouragement», and after recalling that Jesus was born in a stable, «Jesus was poor.
So we are not power hungry. “True wealth in life comes from relationships and people, not money and power.”
“Dear brothers and sisters, may charity be reborn – exhorted Pope Francis – and this Christmas we must do good”.
In a general audience on Wednesday 14, the pope said: “It’s nice to celebrate Christmas and organize parties, but let’s reduce spending on gifts and send the money we save to needy Ukrainians”.
This year’s Christmas Eve mass was held for approximately two hours from 7:30 to 7:30pm.
Traditionally, Christmas Eve Mass is held at midnight, but due to the curfew imposed by the COVID-19 crisis, the Vatican moved Christmas Eve Mass forward to 7:30pm local time.
Most of the Corona 19 related restrictions have been lifted this year, but the Vatican, as in 2020-2021, held Christmas Eve mass from 7.30pm this year.
/yunhap news