(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/g-cvr-121231-hugo-chavez-tease-1250p.photoblog600.jpg)AFPVenezuelan President Hugo Chavez speaking during a press conference in Caracas on Oct. 9.By Mary Murray, NBC NewsIt will be a quiet New Year’s Eve in Venezuela.
Tens of thousands people on Monday were expected to cram Plaza Bolivar, a beautiful square in the center of Caracas, where an annual celebration featuring top bands and free food is held. Vendors were already set up to sell trinkets to the crowd.
But in a last minute change, Jacqueline Faría, head of the Capital District governing Caracas, canceled the free concert that rings in the new year, calling instead for Venezuelans to "unite in prayer" for ailing Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez and to include his "prompt recovery" among their wishes for 2013.
Follow @NBCNewsWorld (https://twitter.com/NBCNewsWorld) On Monday afternoon, Venezuela state television began airing a live Catholic mass for Chavez that was being held at the Palacio de Miraflores, the building that houses presidential work offices. Meantime, the Ministry of Communications was organizing a massive prayer meeting at San Francisco Church at 5 p.m. (4:30 p.m. ET) and other Chavez supporters were planning a political rally at 6 p.m. at Plaza Bolivar.
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I love it when we all feel starting a new year with God is always a good thing.A lot of Nigerians went to church yesternite