Tuesday, July 21, 2026

COVID-19: Pope cancels public recitation of Angelus prayer

Coronavirus restrictions continue to alter age-long religious traditions.

• December 26, 2020
Pope Francis
Pope Francis (Photo Credit: Crux Now)

Pope Francis will not recite the Angelus prayer on Boxing Day before thousands of pilgrims, as in the past, but instead will declaim it from the calm of a Vatican library, an adjustment in line with Italy’s COVID-19 restrictions.

The Vatican moved the location for Saturday’s noon-time (1100 GMT) prayer to the library in the Apostolic Palace, according to a statement from the Holy See.

Originally, the head of the Catholic Church had planned to pray to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square, as is customary on Sundays.

In Italy, strict curfew restrictions apply over the Christmas holidays until the beginning of January, with the exception of four days (December 28 to 30 and January 4).

People are only supposed to leave their homes during this time to go to work, to the doctor’s, shopping, or to exercise on their own, making it difficult for believers to access St Peter’s Square.

Due to the restrictions, Francis had to give his “Urbi et Orbi” blessing in a smaller venue on Friday.

The Christmas Mass on Thursday also took place with a limited number of participants. 

(dpa/NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Young Progressives Party

Heading 5

2027: YPP unveils Lagos secretariat 

Mr Filani said the party was committed to rescuing Nigeria through purposeful leadership.

Yamal, Messi, Mbappe

Hot news Home top

Spain, Argentina, France top FIFA rankings 

Spain moved up one place to displace Argentina from the top spot.

Sokoto trains livestock farmers on artificial insemination

Agriculture

Sokoto trains livestock farmers on artificial insemination

Mr Abubakar said the initiative would strengthen breeders’ capacity.

NAFDAC nabs two fake alcohol merchants in Lagos

Heading 5

NAFDAC nabs two fake alcohol merchants in Lagos

He urged operators dealing in regulated products to comply with all NAFDAC regulatory requirements.

Police nab 147 suspected criminals in Lagos

Lagos

Police nab 147 suspected criminals in Lagos

The operatives targeted criminal hideouts across the state on Sunday, July 19, 2026.