Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Eve Mass as coronavirus surges in Italy

Pope Francis celebrated Christmas Eve Mass before an estimated 2,000 people in St Peter’s Basilica on Friday, going ahead with the service despite the resurgence in Covid-19 cases that has prompted a new vaccine mandate for Vatican employees.A maskless Francis processed down the central aisle as the Sistine Chapel choir sang Noel, kicking off the Vatican’s Christmas holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem. He remained maskless throughout the service.In his homily,…

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