Pope Francis carries a statue of Baby Jesus as he celebrates Christmas Eve Mass, at St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Friday Dec. 24, 2021. Pope Francis celebrated Christmas Eve Mass before an estimated 1,500 people in St. Peter's Basilica on Friday, going ahead with the service despite the resurgence in COVID-19 cases that has prompted a new vaccine mandate for the Vatican City State. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino), APTOPIX