Pope Francis celebrated Christmas Eve Mass on Thursday night amid coronavirus restrictions that reduced a normal crowd of as many as 10,000 congregants to a group of fewer than 100 people, according to reports.
The smaller-scale service was held in the rear section of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City instead of the main section of the basilica, Reuters reported.
In addition, the evening Mass started about two hours earlier than normal so participants could return home before a 10 p.m.
curfew took effect, the report said. During his homily, the Roman Catholic leader urged followers to reach out to the needy, noting that Jesus Christ was considered an outsider.