Pope Benedict XVI will on Monday begin his usual flurry of activity during the Christmas season this year, celebrating Midnight Mass in the Vatican Basilica of St Peter's, the Vatican has announced.On Tuesday - Christmas Day - he will at noon from the central balcony of the Vatican Basilica deliver his Christmas message to the world and will impart the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" blessing.
On 31 December - New Year's Eve - Benedict will preside at first Vespers on the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God in St Peter's. This will be followed by the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the singing of the traditional "Te Deum" hymn of thanksgiving for the year's end, and the Eucharistic blessing, the Vatican's Office of Liturgical Celebrations said.
On 1 January - New Year's Day - the Pope will celebrate Mass in St Peter's at 10 am local time. It is the 41st World Day of Peace which has as its theme: 'The Human Family, a Community of Peace.'
On 6 January, he will once again hold mass at 10 am local time at St Peter's to mark Epiphany. This Christian feast commemorates the revelation of Jesus to humanity, specifically the visit of the Magi or 'Wise Men'.
The Pope will wrap up his Christmas schedule on 13 January , when he will celebrate a mass in Rome's Sistine Chapel at 10 am local time to mark the Feast of Baptism of Christ. The pontiff will baptise a number of infants on this occasion, the Vatican said.
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