Pope Francis cancels public act of veneration again due to pandemic

Dec 03, 2021

VATICAN: For the second year in a row, Pope Francis has cancelled the Roman tradition of a public gathering at the Spanish Steps on December 8 to venerate a statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Holy See press office announced on Nov 27 that, instead of the usual outdoor public ceremony, the Pope will instead perform a private act of devotion to Our Lady to avoid the formation of a crowd and the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

The Pope will ask the Virgin Mary in prayer “to protect the Romans, the city in which they live, and the sick who need Her maternal protection everywhere in the world,” the statement said.

The announcement came after the Italian government unveiled further COVID-19 restrictions effective Dec 6.

Under the new restrictions, unvaccinated people in Italy will be unable to dine indoors at restaurants, go to the gym, visit museums and other tourist sites, or attend weddings or other public ceremonies until at least Jan 15.

Last year, Pope Francis made a surprise visit to pray alone at the Immaculate Conception statue in the Piazza di Spagna at 7.00am on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, after the traditional public gathering was cancelled.

The Pope laid a bouquet of white roses at the base of the nearly 40-foothigh column which holds the statue of the Immaculate Conception near the Spanish Steps.

In addition to Pope Francis’ surprise visit to the statue last year, the Pope also visited the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he prayed before the icon of Salus Populi Romani, Mary Protection of the Roman People.

The Pope also offered Mass in the basilica’s Chapel of Nativity, before returning to the Vatican.

Pope Francis is scheduled to preside over several public liturgies in December, including Mass at 7.30pm on Dec 24 and the Urbi et Orbi blessing in St Peter’s Square on Dec 25 at noon. -- CNA