Pope Francis does not read his Christmas message in the usual way

On December 22, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis would read his Christmas message inside the Holy See instead of from the main balcony of the Basilica because of new restrictions imposed in Italy.

Pope Francis does not read his Christmas message in the usual way

In addition to this encyclical, five other speeches between December 26, 2020 and January 6, 2021 are also expected to be delivered by the Pope in his room instead of outdoors.

Because of the restrictive measures, the Pope will not be able to visit St. Peter’s Square. However, his congratulatory message will be broadcast live on social networks and mass media.

* The European Commission (EC) on December 22 recommended that the member states of the European Union (EU) should lift the travel ban currently imposed on people coming from the UK, in order to allow the resumption of activities. important trip.

“The bans on air and rail travel should be lifted for the sake of ensuring essential travel and avoiding disruption to supply chains,” a statement from the EC said.

Previously, a series of European countries had issued a travel ban with the UK because the country discovered a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that is capable of spreading very quickly.

On the same day as December 22, Hungary is the latest country to announce a ban on passenger flights from the UK until February 8, 2021 to limit the spread of the COVID-19 acute respiratory infection pandemic. However, Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s decree does not apply to emergency landings.

* In another development, Ireland on December 22 announced new restrictive measures until January 12, 2021 to prevent the spread of the disease. Prime Minister Michael Martin said Ireland would return to “level 5 of the plan to live with the epidemic”. Under the new rules, people are asked to stay indoors, with some exceptions.

* In a latest development, Slovakian Finance Minister Eduard Heger has tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, becoming the sixth official in the country’s government to be infected after Prime Minister Igor Matovic also contracted the disease. COVID-19 last week. Minister Heger will self-isolate at home, he has no symptoms of illness. Among the other four members is the Defense Minister.