Christmas festivities are being held all over the world with thousands gathering for special holiday masses. Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Midnight Christmas Mass in St Peter's Basilica.
He appealed for help for those who are suffering and for abused children – including those forced to beg or serve as soldiers. More than 10,000 people gathered to hear Pope Benedict's mass which marked the pontiff's second Christmas season.
UKGreat Britain watched Queen Elizabeth II sending a special Christmas message to British troops overseas, praising their courage in year of heavy losses in Iraq and Afghanistan.
RussiaIn orthodox Russia, where around half a million people are Catholics, Christmas mass was held at the main Catholic church in Moscow.
The Head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Aleksey II, sent Christmas greetings to the leaders of all Christian denominations celebrating Christmas at this time.
Aleksey II wished health and God's help to all Russian Orthodox Christian, who are yet to have their Christmas, which is celebrated on January 7. Russians, together with several other Eastern Orthodox nations, follow the Julian or old style calendar for religious holidays.
Middle EastCelebrations have been taking place in the Middle East as well.
For the first time, Christmas in Bethlehem is being celebrated under the rule of Hamas. This year's celebrations have been marred by the worst Palestinian internal fighting and economic conditions in a decade.
Travel restrictions, Palestinian in-fighting and economic hardships have made this Christmas less cheerful. But midnight mass, marching bands and children dressed as Santa Claus helped lift the gloom hovering over the city.
Led by Latin Patriarch Michel Sabah, the mass was attended by Israeli and Palestinian diplomats, including Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas.
Security was tight as policemen patrolled the streets assisted by the presidential guard.
AfghanistanMeanwhile, in the Afghan capital of Kabul, diplomats and foreign soldiers celebrated their holiday for the first time since the strict Muslim Taliban regime was overthrown by Coalition forces in 2001.
ChinaIn the Chinese town Chongqing, around a hundred thousand gathered to battle with giant inflatable hammers and spray cans of foam as part of a local Christmas tradition. They believe this will bring industrial and economic power to their hometown.
ColombiaColombian children received 10,000 bicycles from their own local Santa, the mayor of the capital, Bogota.
