December 2024 began with a month full of significant events at the Vatican, marked by religious celebrations and historic moments. The first day of the month, which coincided with a Sunday, marked the beginning of Advent, followed by the ceremony of the ‘recognitio’ at the Vatican, a preparatory ritual for the opening of the Holy Door.
During this event, the wall covering the door was removed, including the metal box kept there since the previous Jubilee, containing, among other things, the handle to the Holy Door.
7 December was a particularly busy day, with two important events: the first was the unveiling of the Christmas tree and the nativity scene in St Peter's Square. The nativity scene was particularly notable this year for being a ‘crib on water’, produced by the community of Grado. The second event was the appointment of 21 new cardinals by Pope Francis:
POPE FRANCIS
The Lord calls you to be witnesses, witnesses of fraternity. He calls you to be artisans of communion and builders of unity. And this is your mission.
In addition, on 8 December, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Pope paid homage to the Virgin Mary in the Piazza di Spagna, leaving flowers at her feet. This month Pope Francis' also received a new popemobile, specially designed for cold days. Unfortunately, this month the Pope also incurred a visible bruise on his face.
12 December, the Pope celebrated mass in honour of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
POPE FRANCIS
Everything that is said about the mystery of Guadalupe beyond this is a lie. It is a desire to use it for ideologies. The Guadalupan mystery is to venerate her and to hear ‘Am I not here, who am your mother?’
The ceremony ended with traditional chants from the people of Guadalupe.
NATS: Guadeloupean chants
In the middle of the month, the Pope undertook his 47th trip to Corsica, and also celebrated his birthday. The month culminated with the long-awaited opening of the Holy Door to mark the beginning of the Jubilee and Pope Francis' Christmas message. As every year, the Pope's message that calls for peace is said during the Urbi et Orbi blessing on 25 December.
SR
