On the following day, Dec. 26, known as the feast of St. Stephen, he will preside at Mass in Rome's Rebibbia prison. On New Year's Eve, the Pope will pray First Vespers and the Te Deum in St ...

At the start of Christmas Eve Mass, Francis will push open the Holy ... allow the estimated 32 million pilgrims projected to visit Rome to pass through. The first Holy Year was called in 1300 ...

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis inaugurated his ... morning was his final big event of the week after he celebrated Christmas Eve Mass on Tuesday evening at St. Peter’s Basilica and delivered his ...

Peter’s Basilica swung open. He was wheeled across the threshold as bells tolled across Rome and the choir inside the basilica began Christmas Eve Mass. In his homily, Francis said the Holy Year ...

In addition to the Swiss group, Star Singers from Germany, Austria, Slovakia, South Tyrol and Romania took part, staying in Rome between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The highlight of their visit was ...