December 25 (BBC) – From Australia to the Americas, services marking one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar have been taking place. Here are some of the best images from around the world.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan Catholic children dressed up as angels at St Anthony’s Church. On Easter Sunday, the church was the first of three to be targeted by suicide bombers – 54 people were killed here, and more than 300 across the country.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
A worshipper lights a candle at St Joseph’s Cathedral. The UAE has a vibrant Catholic community, with Filipinos making up more than 5% of the population.
Hanoi, Vietnam
A woman takes a selfie outside the 19th-Century St Joseph’s Cathedral in Vietnam’s capital.
Paris, France
Bishop Philippe Marsset leads a midnight Mass at the Saint Germain l’Auxerrois church. For the first time in more than 200 years, Christmas Mass was not held in Notre-Dame cathedral after the devastating fire there in April.
Nairobi, Kenya
Mass is held at midnight in the Fort Jesus area of the Kenyan capital.
Bethlehem, Palestinian Territories
Midnight Mass takes place in the West Bank town where the Bible says Jesus was born.
Vatican City
In his seventh Christmas Mass,Pope Francis said God loved “even the worst of us”, a message likely to be interpreted as a reference to Church scandals.
Sydney, Australia
Just in time for Christmas, a mural appeared in Sydney criticising Prime Minister Scott Morrison for taking a Hawaiian holiday as the country suffered extreme wildfires.
