COVID-19 Curfew Forces Pope Francis To Transfer Christmas Eve Mass Ahead

VATICAN CITY, Dec 10 (Reuters) – Pope Francis’ Christmas Eve Mass will begin two hours earlier, the Vatican mentioned on Thursday, permitting even the restricted quantity of people that can attend to get dwelling a 10 p.m. Italian curfew to include the coronavirus.

A program for the pope’s Christmas actions confirmed that the Mass, which usually begins at 9:30 p.m, would as an alternative begin at 7:30 p.m.

As in all the pope’s Christmas season occasions from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6, public participation will likely be severely restricted.

Because the outbreak started in February, Francis has usually inspired folks to respect authorities rules geared toward containing the virus.

Italy, the primary Western nation hit the virus, has seen61,739 COVID-19 fatalities, the second-highest toll in Europe after Britain. It has additionally registered 1.77 million instances up to now.

The Italian authorities has imposed various different restrictions in the course of the vacation season, together with a ban on journey inside areas between Dec. 21 and Jan. 6.