By Catholic News Service 

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis’ 2014-15 Christmas season celebrations will include exactly what he did a year earlier. Releasing the pope’s schedule Dec. 10, the Vatican said he would:

— Celebrate Christmas Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at 9:30 p.m. Dec. 24.

— Address the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square and give his blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) at noon on Christmas.

— Celebrate evening prayer Dec. 31 in St. Peter’s Basilica at 5 p.m. and lead the “Te Deum” to thank God for the year that is ending.

— Celebrate Mass at 10 a.m. Jan. 1, the feast of Mary, Mother of God, and the World Day of Prayer for Peace, in St. Peter’s Basilica.

— Celebrate the feast of the Epiphany Jan. 6 with a Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Earlier, the Vatican had confirmed that Jan. 11, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Pope Francis would celebrate Mass in the Sistine Chapel and baptize newborns.

Posted Dec. 10, 2014