Vatican City, Dec 5, 2013 / 03:05 am
The Vatican has issued the calendar of all liturgical celebrations that Pope Francis is slated to preside over during the Advent and Christmas seasons, extending through January of 2014.
Pope Francis opened the liturgical new year by celebrating first Vespers on Saturday, Nov. 30 inside of St. Peter's Basilica in anticipation of the First Sunday of Advent.
During this celebration, the Pope gave a special address to university students, encouraging the youth to go against the tide of secular culture.
The next day, Dec. 1, the pontiff made a pastoral visit to the Roman parish of "San Cirillo Alessandrino," Saint Cyril of Alexandria, where he celebrated Mass for the First Sunday of Advent at 6 p.m., administering the Sacrament of Confirmation to youths present and emphasizing to parishioners that life is a journey of encounter with Christ.