Agency Report

Pope Francis did not preside over New Year’s Eve vespers at St Peter’s Basilica as planned on Friday despite delivering the homily.

Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, led the service while the 85-year-old pontiff, wearing a mask, spent most of it seated on the sidelines.

Asked about the change just three hours after Vatican had confirmed the pope’s presiding role, a spokesman said simply that Francis wanted the cardinal to preside over the celebration.