In pictures: Amid Christmas cheer, pope decries Israeli atrocities in Gaza
Pope Francis says in his Christmas message that children dying in wars, including in besieged Gaza, are the "little Jesuses of today" and that Israeli strikes there were reaping an "appalling harvest" of innocent civilians.
People hold Palestinian flags as they gather to hear the traditional Christmas Day Urbi et Orbi message to the city and the world delivered by Pope Francis from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, on December 25, 2023. / Photo: Reuters
People have donned Santa caps on beaches, ski slopes and streets around the globe to celebrate Christmas, as Pope Francis called for an end to the wars in Gaza and Ukraine that this year have cast a shadow over one of the world's favourite holidays.
Red and white Santa outfits appeared on surfers from Australia to Florida, on cyclists in the smog-filled streets of New Delhi and intrepid souls braving chilly Channel waters for a holiday dip near Britain's Dover.
Pope Francis deplored the desperate humanitarian situation of Palestinians in besieged Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire and the freeing of hostages in his Christmas message.
"My heart grieves for the victims of the abominable attack of 7 October, and I reiterate my urgent appeal for the liberation of those still being held hostage," the 87-year-old said in his traditional Urbi et Orbi message.
"I plead for an end to the military operations with their appalling harvest of innocent civilian victims, and call for a solution to the desperate humanitarian situation by an opening to the provision of humanitarian aid," he told thousands of faithful gathered at Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican.
Israel has launched a relentless bombardment and ground invasion since October 7 in Gaza, where more than 20,000 people have been killed, mostly women and children, according to the latest toll from the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Here's a glimpse of Christmas celebrations around the world.
An installation shows a figure symbolising baby Jesus lying amidst the rubble in a grotto at the Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Bethlehem, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on December 24, 2023.
A model of a demolished room has been placed in front of the Ramallah Municipality to show solidarity with Gaza, in Ramallah, occupied West Bank on December 25, 2023.
A faithful holds a sign reading "Peace" as Palestinian flags are seen in background in St. Peter's Square during the traditional Urbi et Orbi (to the City and to the World) Christmas message delivered by Pope Francis (not pictured) from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica for in Vatican City, Vatican, on December 25, 2023.
Hazem Saba, a displaced Palestinian Christian who fled his house due to Israeli strikes, sits with his wife Ghada and his father in law on Christmas Day, in Rafah in southern Gaza on December 25, 2023.
Girls, wearing Ukrainian traditional clothes, take part in Christmas celebrations in the village of Pyrogove, near Kiev on December 25, 2023, amid Russian invasion in Ukraine.
Devotees gather to celebrate Christmas at the rehabilitated Presbyterian Church in Jaranwala, Pakistan on December 25, 2023.
Streets are decorated with festive lights for the holiday season in Madrid, Spain on December 25, 2023.
Justin Welby (C), the Archbishop of Canterbury leads Christmas Day morning Eucharist service at Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, United Kingdom on December 25, 2023. King Charles to knight Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby for his personal service to the Crown in the New year Honours List.
Fener-Greek Patriarch Bartholomew I leads the Christmas Mass in Istanbul on December 25, 2023.
Priests lead the mass, held at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, for Christmas in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina on December 25, 2023.
Pope Francis delivers his blessing to the faithful from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica on the occasion of the traditional Urbi et Orbi (to the City and to the World) Christmas message, in Vatican City, Vatican, on December 25, 2023 [AA]
A participant in Santa Claus costume jumps into the water during the 114th edition of the Copa Nadal (Christmas Cup) swimming race in Barcelona's Port Vell on December 25, 2023.
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