Christmas in Bethlehem (pics)
Christian pilgrims from across the world have celebrated midnight Mass in Bethlehem to mark Christmas Eve in the traditional birthplace of Jesus.
In a homily, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal called on Jews, Muslims and Christians to "live together as equals". Referring to violence in Gaza and Jerusalem, he said he hoped 2015 "would be better than this difficult year".
Thousands of pilgrims earlier crowded into Manger Square to watch a procession led by Patriarch Twal. The midnight Mass took place in the Church of the Nativity which marks the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born in the West Bank town.
Patriarch Twal, the most senior Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, said the region had become "a land of conflict". "I hope next year there will be no separation wall and I hope we will have bridges of peace instead," he added. "Peace comes from justice and we have a cause which we hope will be solved soon."
(Source: BBC
Photos: BBC)
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