Showing posts with label St. Peter's Basilica. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St. Peter's Basilica. Show all posts

Sunday, December 25, 2022

Pope Condemns Power Hungry and Alludes to Ukraine Conflict in Christmas Eve Mass

THE GUARDIAN: 7,000 people fill St. Peter’s Basilica after several years of Covid imposed restrictions on attendance

Pope Francis kisses a statue of baby Jesus as he celebrates Christmas Eve ,ass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Photograph: Vatican Media/Reuters

Pope Francis warned in a solemn Christmas Eve Mass that the level of greed and hunger for power was such that some wanted to “consume even their neighbours”, in an apparent reference to the war in Ukraine.

Francis, celebrating the 10th Christmas of his pontificate, presided over a capacity crowd of about 7,000 in St. Peter’s Basilica after several years of restricted attendance because of Covid.

About 4,000 other people participated outside in St. Peter’s Square on a relatively warm night.

As was the case for the past several months, a knee ailment prevented Francis from standing for long periods, delegating a cardinal to be the main celebrant at the altar of the largest church in Christendom. » | Reuters | Sunday, December 25, 2022