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VATICAN CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS
VATICAN CITY STATE AND ROME, ITALY
24-25 DECEMBER 2016

Pope Francis will celebrate his fourth Christmas since becoming pontiff.
Francis will preside over the traditional Christmas Eve mass in Saint Peter's Basilica and at midday on Christmas day impart his Urbi et Orbi message (Latin for "to the city and to the world") for which tens of thousands are expected to gather in Saint Peter's Square.

The Christmas celebrations come just a month after the close of the extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy on November 20. Pope Francis announced the Jubilee as a special year of remission of sins and universal pardon, centered on God's forgiveness and mercy. For the first time it was celebrated not only in Rome, and Holy doors were opened in single dioceses around the world, in the main cathedrals or in churches of historical or special significance.

December 24, Christmas Eve: The Pope celebrates the traditional Christmas Midnight Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica (approx. 20.30-22.30 gmt).

December 25, Christmas Day: The Pope gives the traditional Urbi et Orbi Christmas blessing from Saint Peter's Square (approx. 11.00-11.45 gmt).

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