Pope Francis welcomes women performing Catholic rites, though they cannot become priests.
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How will the Pope's Christmas Eve Mass be different in times of Covid?
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Video caption: Just 100 people will attend the mass, as Italy enters a strict lockdown today Just 100 people will attend the mass, as Italy enters a strict lockdown today
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Video caption: Coronavirus: Tourists light on the ground at the Vatican The BBC's Quentin Somerville gets to see the Sistine Chapel without the crowds.
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Video caption: Coronavirus: Pope Francis delivers mass behind closed doors Pope Francis calls for global solidarity with a mass held behind closed doors on Easter Sunday.
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Video caption: Pope Francis marks Holy Week in near-empty basilica A small number of worshippers attended the mass, while observing social distancing.
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Video caption: Pope gives prayer to empty St Peter's Square The service usually only happens twice a year but was given as Italy's coronavirus death toll passes 9,000.
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Video caption: Coronavirus: Pope Francis delivers blessing via videolink Due to the threat of coronavirus, Pope Francis delivers his weekly blessing via videolink to avoid large crowds gathering in the Vatican.