The Vatican has released the Calendar of Papal Liturgical Celebrations, spanning from the Christmas Eve Mass in the Vatican Basilica at 7:30 PM to the January 7 celebration in the Sistine Chapel, where the Pope will baptize several children. 

On Sunday, December 24, the Pope will lead the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at 7:30 PM, as detailed in the Calendar of Papal Liturgical Celebrations recently published by the Vatican Press Office. 

This year, the Pope continues with the earlier schedule that began in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions and was subsequently maintained in 2021 and 2022.

Urbi et Orbi Blessing 

On Monday, December 25, Christmas Day, Pope Francis will deliver the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing from the Central Loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica at noon. 

Furthermore, on Sunday, December 31, at 5 PM, he will preside over the First Vespers and Te Deum in the Vatican Basilica, a service of thanksgiving for the year gone by.

Celebrations in January 

Monday, January 1, which also marks the 57th World Day of Peace, will see Pope Francis celebrating the Mass of the Solemnity of Mary Most Holy, Mother of God, in the Vatican Basilica at 10 AM. 

The Mass for the Solemnity of the Epiphany is scheduled for January 6 at 10 AM in the same Basilica. 

Lastly, on January 7, for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the Pope will lead a special ceremony in the Sistine Chapel at 9:30 AM, during which he will baptize a number of children.