log4j 2.16.0 was released at 13 Dec 22:28 GMT with the following note [1]:
Removed Message Lookups. This is a hardening related to changes made to prevent CVE-2021-44228. While this change is recommended, it is NOT required to fix CVE-2021-44228.
[1]
https://lists.apache.org/thread/d6v4r6nosxysyq9rvnr779336yf0...