Due to painful sciatica, this evening’s and tomorrow’s mornings celebrations at the Altar of the Chair in the Vatican Basilica will not be presided over by the Holy Father Francis.

This evening’s First Vespers and Te Deum, 31 December 2020, will be presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, while Holy Mass tomorrow, 1 January 2021, will be presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State.

Tomorrow, 1 January 2021, Pope Francis will, however, lead the recitation of the Angelus from the Library of the Apostolic Palace, as planned.