DAVAO CITY — The Filipino community in Rome will celebrate the Aguinaldo Mass or Simbang Gabi with an unusual celebrant– Pope Francis.
The FIipino Community eagerly awaits the start of the nine-day dawn mass or Simbang Gabi, as no less than the Pope will lead the celebration in the Vatican City – a first in history.
On December 16, Pope Francis will officiate Simbang Gabi at the altar of the chair at St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican City.
It is historic as it happens for the first time that a pontiff to celebrate Mass for Filipino the community.
The Filipino community has been observing the Simbang Gabi for the last four years.
Some 7,500 are expected to attend the Mass, which kicks off the traditional 9-day devotion until Christmas Day, the birth of Jesus Christ.
The rest of the Simbang Gabi Masses will be held at the Basilica di Santa Pudenziana in Rome.
