Pope Francis marks his first Christmas as leader of the
world's Roman Catholics on Tuesday and Wednesday, with crowds of
pilgrims expected to attend the annual celebrations in the Vatican.
"Like the Virgin Mary, the Church this week is
expecting a birth," the pope said on Monday in the homily at one of his
daily masses in the Vatican residence, where
he has been staying since his election in March.
"Is there space for the Lord or is there space only for
parties, shopping and making noise?" he asked.
The Christmas festivities begin with the unveiling on St
Peter's Square of a traditional Nativity scene named in honour of Latin
America's first ever pontiff at 1530 GMT.
The 77-year-old Francis is expected to watch the ceremony
from the window of the Apostolic
Palace overlooking the
square and light a candle for peace.
Then from 2030 GMT the Argentine will celebrate the solemn
Christmas Vigil mass in St Peter's Basilica.
On Wednesday, Francis delivers the "Urbi et Orbi"
("To the City and the World") blessing at 1130 GMT on St Peter's Square
-- where he first appeared after his momentous election by fellow cardinals on
March 13.
Popes often use their "Urbi et Orbi" blessings to
announce specific prayers, for instance, for the victims of conflicts or for
global economic justice.