A statement from the Holy See’s Press Office explains that the celebrations will continue as usual and that Pope Francis will pray the Angelus on New Year’s Day as usual.
By the Vatican News staff writer
Pope Francis will not preside over the New Year’s Eve or the solemn singing of the Te Deum this evening, December 31, in St. Peter’s Basilica, or in the Holy Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, the Virgin Mary, l ‘January 1st. to “painful sciatica.”
A statement issued by the Press Office of the Holy See says that the traditional end-of-year celebration on Thursday evening will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, while the Mass on the day of the new year will be celebrated by the cardinal secretary of state. Pietro Parolin.
Pope Francis, however, will pray the Angelus from the Apostolic Library and address the faithful at noon on January 1, 2021.