VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With the opening of the Holy Year 2025, Pope Francis’ schedule of liturgies in December and January has expanded. A live steam of the liturgies is available with English translation on the YouTube channel of Vatican News – English.
The pope, who celebrated his 88th birthday Dec. 17, is not planning to skip any of his normal Christmastime Masses and prayer services but will add an early morning Mass Dec. 29 at Rome’s Rebibbia prison to open a Holy Door there.
Archbishop Diego Ravelli, master of papal liturgical ceremonies, published a list of the pope’s Christmas season liturgies Nov. 25. With papal services already listed on the Vatican website, the papal liturgies for December and January include (times listed are local time in Rome):
– Dec. 24, opening of Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica at 7 p.m., following by the celebration of the Christmas “Mass during the night.”
– Dec. 25, Christmas message and blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) at noon from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
– Dec. 26, opening of the Holy Door and Mass for the feast of St. Stephen at Rome’s Rebibbia prison at 9 a.m.
– Dec. 31, evening prayer and “Te Deum” in thanksgiving for the past year in St. Peter’s Basilica at 5 p.m.
– Jan. 1, Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica for the feast of Mary, Mother of God, and the World Day of Peace.
– Jan. 6, Mass on the feast of the Epiphany at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica.
– Jan. 12, Mass for the feast of the Baptism of the Lord and the baptism of infants at 9:30 a.m. in the Sistine Chapel.
