Papal Ceremonies for Christmas 2008 and World Day of Peace 2009

30 Oct 2008

PRESS RELEASE
30 October 2008

Papal Ceremonies for Christmas 2008 and World Day of Peace 2009

The Pontifical Council for Social Communications has outlined the following broadcasting arrangements regarding the Papal ceremonies for Christmas 2008 and World Day of Peace 2009.

Broadcast:

1. Wednesday, 24 December 2008, Christmas Eve, 22:55 – 00:35 UTC/GMT     
Midnight Mass presided over by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in St Peter’s Basilica
2. Thursday, 25 December 2008, Christmas Day, 10:55 – 11:35 UTC/GMT 
Christmas Message and Blessing “Urbi et Orbi” of Pope Benedict XVI from St Peter’s Square
3. Thursday, 1 January 2009 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God 09:00 – 10:30 UTC/GMT
Mass presided over by the Holy Father Benedict XVI in St Peter’s Basilica on the occasion of the 42nd World Day of Peace

Satellite Distribution:
Worldwide:
  • Eurovision World Feeds
  • INTELSAT

Africa:

  • Canal France International (CFI)

Americas:

  • Organización de Telecomunicaciones Iberoamericanas (OTI)

Television commentaries from the Vatican in English (by H.E. John P. Cardinal Foley), Spanish and French provided on satellite audio channels

Worldwide:

  • Eurovision World Feeds

Africa:

  • Canal France International (CFI)

Americas:

  • Organización de Telecomunicaciones Iberoamericanas (OTI)

Television commentaries in various languages can be requested from Vatican Radio ([email protected])

Contacts:

Eurovision World Feed Desk (Sara Alonso) Tel: +41 22 717 2822; Fax: +41 22 747 4822
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.eurovision.net/net/content/worldfeeds.php

INTELSAT via Telespazio (Italy)
Telespazio Customer Support (Giacomo Salucci) Tel: +39 06 4079-3487; Fax: +39 06 407-1790
Email: [email protected]

Org. de Telecomunicaciones Iberoamericanas (OTI)
OTI Director of Programs (Dario de la Pena) Tel: +52 55 5980-8112/8115; Fax: +52 55 5980-8117
Email: [email protected]

Television commentary positions available Vatican City:
RAI Eurovision (Lucia Colafrancesco) Tel: +39 06 3317-1151/52; Fax: +39 06 3317-0053
Email: [email protected]

All other inquiries:
Pontificio Consiglio delle Comunicazioni Sociali (Thaddeus Jones) Tel: +39 06 698 91810; Fax: +39 06 698 91840
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.pccs.it/tj/telecasts.htm

Concerning the above:

Details concerning the various satellites and frequencies will be posted on the Pontifical Council for Social Communications’ operations website (www.pccs.it/tj/telecasts.htm), in addition to texts and background information for television producers and commentators.  The broadcast times are those currently scheduled and, in the remote case there were to be any variations, the details will be posted online as soon as possible.  For those unable to receive the broadcasts through the above service providers, alternative satellite reception possibilities can be explored (send email request to: [email protected]).

Broadcasters interested in receiving the First Vespers of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and “Te Deum” liturgy presided over by the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI in St Peter’s Basilica (Wednesday, 31 December 2008; 17:00 – 18:00 UTC/GMT) are kindly asked to send a written request to the Pontifical  Council for Social Communications ([email protected]).

ENDS

Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications (086 172 7678)
Brenda Drumm, Communications Officer (087 233 7797)