
VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Christmas Eve Mass on Saturday night, kicking off a busy two weeks of public appearances that will test his stamina. Hours before the evening Mass began, Benedict lit a candle in his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square in a traditional sign of peace. A few hundred people had gathered in the square to watch the candle lighting and the unveiling of the Vatican's larger-than-life nativity scene. (Claudio Peri, Pool/Associated Press) - Pope Benedict XVI arrives for an audience with the Curia for Christmas greetings, in the Sala Clementina of the Apostolic Palace, in Vatican City, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011. The Pope met with Cardinals and members of the Roman Curia for an exchange of greetings ahead of the year end festivities. The Christmas Eve Mass was moved up to 10 pm from midnight several years ago to spare the pope a late night that is followed by an important Christmas Day speech. In a new concession this year, the 84-year-old Benedict is expected to process down the basilica's central aisle on a moving platform to spare him the long walk. On Sunday, Benedict will deliver his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" speech, Latin for "to the city and the world," from the central loggia of St. Peter's overlooking the piazza. Usually, the speech is a survey of sorts of the hardships and wars confronting the globe. He's also due to deliver Christmas greetings in dozens of languages. Next weekend, he'll preside over a New Year's Eve <b>...</b>
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24/12/2011
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