CELEBRATIONS TO BE PRESIDED BY THE POPE NOVEMBER - JANUARY

Vatican City,  (VIS) - The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff today published the calendar of celebrations to be presided over by the Holy Father between November 2012 and January 2013.

NOVEMBER

- Saturday 24: At 11 a.m. in the Vatican Basilica, Ordinary Public Consistory for the creation of new cardinals.

- Sunday 25: Solemnity of Christ the King, at 9.30 a.m. in the Vatican Basilica, Mass with newly-created cardinals.

DECEMBER

- Saturday 1: At 6 p.m. in the Vatican Basilica, First Vespers for the first Sunday of Advent with students of Roman and Pontifical universities.

- Saturday 8: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At 4 p.m. in Rome's Piazza di Spagna, homage to Mary Immaculate.

- Sunday 16: Third Sunday of Advent, pastoral visit to the Roman parish of "San Patrizio al Colle Prenestino". At 9 a.m., celebration of the Eucharist.

- Monday 24: Vigil of the Solemnity of the Birth of Our Lord. At 10 p.m., Mass in the Vatican Basilica.

- Tuesday 25: Solemnity of the Birth of Our Lord. At midday from the central loggia of the Vatican Basilica, "Urbi et Orbi" blessing.

- Saturday 29: At 6 p.m. in the Vatican Basilica, prayer presided by the Holy Father with young people participating in a European meeting organised by the Taize Community.

- Monday 31: At 5 p.m. in the Vatican Basilica, First Vespers and "Te Deum" of thanksgiving for the past year.

JANUARY 2013

- Tuesday 1: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and forty-sixth World Day of Peace. Mass in the Vatican Basilica at 9.30 a.m.

- Sunday 6: Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. Mass in the Vatican Basilica at 9.30 a.m.

- Sunday 13: Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. Mass in the Sistine Chapel at 9.45 a.m., conferment of the Sacrament of Baptism upon a number of children.

- Friday 25: Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle. At 5.30 p.m. in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls, celebration of Vespers.