Pope Francis prayed the Angelus from his chapel in Santa Marta rather than the window of the Apostolic Palace. The previous day the Vatican had reported that the Pope had mild symptoms of a cold and as a precaution he will rest in preparation for the upcoming ceremonies.
POPE FRANCIS
I am sorry not to be with you in the Square, but I am getting better and precautions must be taken.
The Pope reflected on the Gospel scene in which Mary, pregnant, visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is also expecting a child.
POPE FRANCIS
In the Square, even today, there will be mothers with their children, and perhaps there are some who are “sweet expectation.” Please, let us not remain indifferent to their presence: let us learn to marvel at their beauty, as Elizabeth and Mary did, that beauty of expectant mothers.
24 hours before Christmas Eve, Pope Francis asked people to see in pregnant women the image of Mary when she was waiting to give birth to Jesus.
In addition, as is tradition, the statues of the baby Jesus were blessed in St. Peter's Square, which are placed from the 24th onwards in all the cribs.
SR
