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Catholics who always wanted to visit Rome or the “land down under” but are concerned about traveling during the pandemic can take a virtual, faith-filled trip this year — via livestreamed Masses.

Churches from Italy to Australia are turning to technology to connect with parishioners and beyond. Participating in a Christmas Mass from another country could be a special experience, even while supporting parishes in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Deciding where to visit can be fun and informative. Kids at home? Ask your children to find a church and a Mass that is livestreaming from a country they’ve read about at school. Or find a Mass in a country that intrigues the family, or hails from the same church your ancestors worshipped in generations ago. Search online for the church’s name and location, and see if it offers livestreaming. Check for websites and Facebook pages.

Below are links to a few sites promoting livestreamed Masses, but verify them closer to Christmas. For one, some sites only list livestreams one week ahead of time. Christmas Mass times and time zones will vary.

St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome
The Vatican’s traditional Christmas “Mass during the Night” Dec. 24 will be at 7:30 p.m. (12:30 p.m. Central) so that the few people invited under COVID-19 safety protocols can get home in time to observe Italy’s 10 p.m. pandemic-related curfew. Pope Francis’ Christmas blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) will be given, as usual, at noon (5 a.m. Central) from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. Watch vaticannews.va for livestreaming and major television networks for live coverage.

Mexico City
The Basilica de Santa Maria de Guadalupe’s Facebook page has been livestreaming Masses and playing their recordings. Watch for the Christmas Mass (Insigne y Nacional Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe).

Sydney, Australia
St. Mary’s Cathedral and other Catholic churches in the Archdiocese of Sydney

Ireland, Northern Island, England, Scotland, Wales (shows local and Central Standard Time): IrelandMass

Mass Online App
Masses in the U.S. and other countries, listed chronologically by date and time, are linked from a free app called Mass Online. Rosary services are linked, too.

Vatican City TV
Watch Vatican City TV — not for a Mass, but live TV in Italian or English

View historic cathedrals
Another option is taking an online tour of a beautiful cathedral across the pond. Here’s one example — a link to photos and details of the breathtaking stained glass and interiors of St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague: