A statement from the Holy See Press Room explains that the celebrations will proceed as normal and that Pope Francis will say the Angelus on New Year’s Day as usual.
By the editor of Vatican News
Pope Francis will not preside over New Year’s Eve and the solemn singing of the Te Deum tonight, December 31, in St. Peter’s Basilica, or Holy Mass for the solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, on January 1 , due to “painful sciatica”.
A statement released by the Holy See Press Office said that the traditional holiday celebration on Thursday night will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, while the New Year’s Day Mass will be celebrated by the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.
Pope Francis, meanwhile, will say the Angelus of the Apostolic Library and will address the faithful at noon on January 1, 2021.