Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Eve Mass on Thursday at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican as Italy went back into lockdown measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year his remarks were delivered via livestream from inside the Vatican instead of at the balcony to a crowd of thousands of followers.

The Vatican decreed that priests can celebrate as many as four Masses on several important feast days, including Christmas, to accommodate the participation of the faithful.

Pope Francis picks up a figurine of the baby Jesus to carry in procession at the conclusion of Christmas Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 24, 2019. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) See POPE ...

Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican in this Dec. 24, 2020, file photo. The pope will celebrate Christmas Eve Mass at 7:30 p.m. as he did in 2020 ...

Pope Francis looks at a figurine of the baby Jesus as he celebrates Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in this Dec. 24, 2020, file photo.

Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Eve Mass on Thursday at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, as Italy went back into lockdown measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Eve Mass on Thursday at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican as Italy went back into lockdown measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.