Pope Francis is halting his public general audiences and will limit participation at
Christmas and other upcoming Masses amid a surge of
Coronavirus cases in
Italy and the Vatican, officials said Thursday.
Starting next week, Francis will resume livestreaming his weekly catechism lessons from his library in the Apostolic Palace, as he did during the Vatican’s COVID-19 lockdown during the spring and summer, the Vatican said.
In addition, Francis' liturgical events over the next few weeks and months — including Christmas — will be attended by only limited numbers of faithful, the Vatican said, though it noted plans could change as the health situation evolves.