Pope Francis offers warm greetings to those celebrating Lunar New Year in Asia, and expresses his closeness to those suffering from the pandemic.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis sent greetings to those celebrating Lunar New Year, marking the new year according to the traditional Chinese calendar.
At the end of his Sunday Angelus in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope offered peace wishes to all those in the Far East, and in various parts of the world, who celebrate the Lunar New Year.
“On this joyous occasion, however,” the Holy Father expressed, “I cannot fail to express my spiritual closeness to all those going through trying times caused by the coronavirus pandemic, in the hope that the present difficulties will soon be overcome.”
“Finally, I hope that the kindness, sensitivity, solidarity and harmony, which we experience in these days in traditionally reunited families, may always permeate and characterise our relationships, both familial and social, so that we may live a serene and happy life.”
“Happy New Year!” he said.
Celebrations in Asia
Lunar New Year, or the Chinese New Year or often-called the ‘Spring Festival’ in mainland China, is one of the several Lunar New Years of Asia.
Ethnic Chinese and many non-Chinese people celebrate it worldwide.
It begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends 15 days later, on the first full moon of the lunar calendar.
