Due to a cold, Pope Francis will forgo his customary outdoor Sunday address and instead deliver the blessing from his Santa Marta residence within the Vatican, the Vatican announced on Saturday. This decision, made just days before his Christmas Eve and Day Masses, considers the chilly weather and the Pope’s demanding Christmas schedule.
The 88-year-old pontiff typically greets the public from St. Peter’s Basilica window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
His voice sounded somewhat congested during his annual Christmas address to Vatican staff on Saturday.
The Pope has a history of respiratory issues, including bronchitis (which led to hospitalization last year) and influenza with lung inflammation (resulting in his absence from a Dubai climate change meeting last year).
He also underwent a partial lung removal in his youth due to pleurisy.
Christmas Eve marks the commencement of the Vatican’s Holy Year, anticipated to draw approximately 32 million pilgrims to Rome throughout 2025.
The Pope will open the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve and will visit Rome’s main prison on December 26th to officially launch the Holy Year there.
This Jubilee, typically observed every 25 years, is also known as the Holy Year.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.