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Added on the 18/12/2015 22:56:04 - Copyright : Reuters EN
With recent attacks in Paris and San Bernadino as a backdrop and amid tight security, Pope Francis was joined by his predecessor, the former Pope Benedict on Tuesday, in opening Roman Catholicism's Holy Year, with a call to set aside the "fear and dread" of the world. Mana Rabiee reports.
According to CNN, Pope Francis will not lead the Vatican's New Year's Eve and New Year's Day celebrations, because of sciatic pain. This is the first time the Pope has missed a New Year's Eve celebration, but it is not the first event he skipped. On February 27, 84 year-old Pope Francis, canceled a scheduled mass, due to what The Vatican press office called a "slight imposition," denying rumors that he had Covid. Pope Francis first shared that he had sciatica (herniation of spinal disk) during an inflight press conference during a 2013 trip to Brazil. He said, "Sciatica is very painful, very painful! I don't wish it on anyone!" The Pontiff has received treatments like massages and injections to help reduce his pain. The Pope will be replaced by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, for Thursday's New Year's Eve service. Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin will host Mass on Friday. Pope Francis will still lead the Angelus prayer on New Year's Day.
Vatican City and Rome are bracing for the arrival of millions of pilgrims for the Roman Catholic Holy Year by increasing security. Nathan Frandino reports.
A high security presence is visible around St. Peter's Square as Pope Francis prepares for the start of the Holy Year and conducts the weekly general audience. Jennifer Davis reports.
A mass of people waiting for hours to vote in DR Congo general elections,force open the door at a polling station in the capital, Kinshasa. IMAGES
U.S. President Barack Obama attends an outdoor arrival ceremony in heavy rain, as the first sitting U.S. president to visit Laos. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).
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