Covid-19 clouds Christmas celebrations for second year

Pope calls for dialogue to counter isolationPope Francis yesterday called for dialogue to counter the isolation wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic as billions around the world marked a second Christmas under the shadow of the coronavirus.An explosion in cases driven by the rise of the Omicron variant has meant a Christmas season tainted by the pandemic for a second year running, with longed-for family reunions overshadowed by the prospect of yet more Covid-19 restrictions.In his traditional Urbi and Orbi Christmas Day blessing, the Pope told the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican that “our capacity for social relationships is sorely tried; there is a growing tendency to withdraw, to do it all by ourselves, to stop making an effort to encounter others and do things together.”“On the international level, too, there is the risk of avoiding dialogue, the risk that this complex crisis will lead to taking shortcuts rather than setting out on the longer paths of dialogue.”“Yet only those paths can lead to the resolution of conflicts and to lasting benefits for all,” said the 85-year-old Argentine pontiff.Beyond praying for migrants, peace in Ethiopia, comfort for the Afghan people, and no fresh outbreaks of violence in Ukraine, Pope Francis prayed for health in a time of pandemic.“Open hearts to ensure that necessary medical care — and vaccines in particular — are provided to those peoples who need them most,” he said.During the Christmas Eve mass the previous night, the Pope had urged people to appreciate the little things in life.For the second year, surging infections have complicated yuletide plans from Sydney to Seville.The new coronavirus strain severely disrupted holiday travel, with tracking website Flightaware.com reporting more than 4,500 flights had been cancelled around the world, hundreds of them in the United States.Millions of Americans were nevertheless on the move to see loved ones for Christmas, even as Covid infections surpass the peak of the previous wave and hospitals run out of beds.In Europe, governments are reimposing misery-inducing safety measures that are draining the fun from Christmas for many.The Netherlands is back in lockdown, while Spain and Italy have made wearing masks compulsory outdoors.Still, Christmas gatherings will be easier than a year ago in many places around the world. And Santa Claus was not deterred from doing his rounds, after showing proof of vaccination and a pre-flight negative Covid test, Ottawa’s transport minister said.According to the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s (NORAD) Santa-tracking website, Father Christmas had delivered 7.6 billion gifts during his 2021 sleigh ride around the world.