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 First Apostolic Journey of Pope Francis Lampedusa, Italy, July 8, 2013 Scott 1580 (2014) Within the last week, the Vatican announced events that will fill the schedule of Pope Francis from mid-December to mid-January. It includes a short papal pilgrimage journey, and his itinerary for the Christmas season and the start of the 2025 Jubilee Year. December 15: Apostolic Journey to Corsica  Flag of France and the Euro The Euro Unites Europe Issue Scott 1272 (2004) On November 23, it was announced that Pope Francis will travel to the French island of Corsica, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. This will be the first visit by a pope to the island, and it will take place on December 15. This will be the shortest international trip taken by a pope outside the peninsula of Italy, a distance of less than 200 miles—a quick one-hour flight from Rome to Corsica's capital of Ajaccio. During his time on the island, Pope Francis will attend a conference on religion in the Mediterranean region organized by the Diocese of Ajaccio, meet with the local religious community, celebrate a public Mass and meet with French President Emmanuel Macron. His schedule calls for him to return to Rome following his brief nine-hour stay on the island. Christmas Eve: Mass and Opening the Holy Door  Pope Francis Opens the Holy Door December 8, 2015 Photo by Centro Televisivo Vaticano From Wikimedia Commons Used under terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license Earlier this week, the Vatican Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff announced the papal liturgies for mid-December to mid-January. Perhaps the most anticipated event will be the start of the Jubilee Year of Hope, when Pope Francis celebrates Mass at Saint Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve and opens the Holy Door of the Basilica. This is the second time that Pope Francis has initiated a Holy Year, the first being the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2015-2016. Christmas Day  Mary and the Baby Jesus Scott 1319 (2005) In keeping with tradition, on Christmas Day the Pope will deliver the Urbi et Orbi address "to the City and the World”. December 26: Feast of Saint Stephen and Visit to Rebibbia Prison  The Stoning of Saint Stephen Scott 1244 (2003) On December 26, the Feast of Saint Stephen, Pope Francis will travel to Rome’s Rebibbia Prison. He will celebrate the Mass and open the prison’s Holy Door, the only Holy Door not within a papal basilica. New Year's Eve and January 1: World Day of Peace  Peace: The Highest Value of Humanity Scott 1826 (2023) Following a New Year’s Eve celebration which will see the pope pray First Vespers and the Te Deum at Saint Peter’s Basilica, on New Year’s Day he will preside over a Mass to mark the Vatican’s commemoration of the 58th World Day of Peace. January 6: The Solemnity of the Epiphany  The Adoration of the Magi Scott 1399 (2008) On the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6, Pope Francis will preside at Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. January 12: The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord  The Baptism of Christ Scott 1172 (2001) Finally, Pope Francis will close out the Christmas season with a Mass in the Sistine Chapel on January 12, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Traditionally, the pope baptizes children of Vatican employees at this ceremony. REFERENCES: |
