Pope Francis gave his traditional Christmas message and Blessing Urbi et Orbi (“To the City [of Rome] and the World”), offering words of hope and consolation, saying a birth is always a source of hope, and “this Child, Jesus, was born ‘to us’ … without any borders, privileges or exclusions.”
He pronounced his message in the Hall of Benediction of St. Peter’s Basilica, the upper area just behind the central loggia where he would usually have delivered his message. The pandemic and safety measures in place led to a decision to avoid the risk of large public gatherings in St. Peter’s Square and hence to broadcast live his message from inside the Basilica.
#PopeFrancis gives his Urbi et Orbi Christmas blessing, calling for the just distribution of Covid-19 vaccines and praying for areas of the world where conflict reigns.https://t.co/QYwyuw1KMW
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) December 25, 2020