Advisory for Broadcasters
Vatican Announces Worldwide Telecasts Information for Christmas, Day of Peace Ceremonies
WASHINGTON—The Pontifical Council for Social Communications has released information for broadcasters regarding worldwide telecasts of the ceremonies presided over by Pope Benedict XVI on Christmas and New Year's Day. All times are UTC/GMT (Coordinated Universal Time/Greenwich Mean Time).
Thursday, December 24, 2009, Christmas Eve, 21:00 to 23:00 hours, Midnight Mass, presided over by Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica.
Friday, December 25, 2009, Christmas Day, 11:00 to 11:45 hours, Christmas Message and Blessing "Urbi et Orbi" ("To the City of Rome and to the World") of Pope Benedict XVI from St. Peter's Square.
Friday, January 1, 2010, Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, 09:00 - 10:45 Mass, presided over by Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica on the occasion of the 43rd World Day of Peace.
The broadcasts will be offered free of charge to all broadcasters via Eurovision through its World Feed Service. A satellite domestic feed for the US and Canada (most likely Galaxy 17, Ku-band) is planned for the Christmas Midnight Mass and Christmas Day Blessing “Urbi et Orbi.” Details concerning the various satellites and frequencies will soon be posted on www.eurovision.net/net/content/worldfeeds.php and www.pccs.it/tj/telecasts.htm. Texts and background information for television producers and commentators can also be found on the Pontifical Council for Social Communications’ website (www.pccs.it/tj/telecasts.htm).
Television commentaries from the Vatican in English, Spanish and French will be offered on the satellite audio channels. Commentary in other languages may be requested from Vatican Radio’s International Relations Office (relint@vatiradio.va), which will provide them on a first come, first served basis, depending on availability.
For those unable to receive the broadcasts through the above mentioned service provider, alternative satellite reception possibilities can be explored. Send email to: telecast@pccs.va.
Contact information:
Eurovision World Feed Desk (Sara Alonso)
Tel: +41 22 717 2822; fax: +41 22 747 4822
Email: worldfeed@eurovision.net
Web: www.eurovision.net/net/content/worldfeeds.php
Television commentary positions available in Vatican City:
RAI Eurovision (Lucia Colafrancesco)
Tel: +39 06 3317-1151 / 52; fax: +39 06 3317-0053
Email: newsprod@rai.it
Television commentary in other languages from Vatican Radio:
International Relations Office, Vatican Radio
Tel: +39 06 698 83945
Email: relint@vatiradio.va
All other inquiries:
Pontifical Council for Social Communications (Thaddeus Jones)
Tel: +39 06 698 91810; fax: +39 06 698 91840
Email: telecast@pccs.va ; Web: www.pccs.it/tj/telecasts.htm
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Keywords: Christmas Eve, Christmas Mass, Urbi et Orbi, World Day of Peace.
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