Pope Francis celebrates Mass in near-empty service

Pope Francis delivers an early Mass on Thursday to a small congregation at St Peter's Basilica to comply with Italy's 10pm curfew. To celebrate the Christmas vigil, service started at 7:30 p.m. local time, with attendees wearing masks.

Also in accordance with the COVID-19 restrictions, the Pope will not be making appearances in St Peter's Square throughout the holiday season where he would usually offer blessings to the crowd.

In his homily, the Pope said "That is what Christmas is: the birth of Jesus is the "newness" that enables us to be reborn each year and to find, in him, the strength needed to face every trial."