Pope Benedict has full calendar of public events for Christmas

Published: 2005-12-15

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Celebrating Christmas for the first time as pope, Pope Benedict XVI has a full calendar of public Masses and prayer services. The Vatican released the 78-year-old pope's calendar of liturgical celebrations Dec. 15. The pope's calendar includes: presiding at Christmas Mass at midnight in St. Peter's Basilica; giving a message and the traditional blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city of Rome and the world) from the central balcony of the basilica Dec. 25 at noon; presiding over evening prayer and offering a prayer of thanks for the past year at a 6 p.m. service in St. Peter's Basilica Dec. 31; and presiding over Mass Jan. 1 in St. Peter's Basilica for the feast of Mary, Mother of God, and World Day of Peace.

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