From West Bank to India: Worldwide Christmas fetes
Pope urges worshipers to discard the season's consumerism while PA President Abbas wishes for peace in 'occupied Palestinian lands'
Christian worshippers across the globe gathered on Sunday to celebrate the traditional birth of Jesus. At the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI held a midnight mass at Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome, urging the faithful to "see through the superficial glitter of this season" to find the holiday's true meaning.
Meanwhile, hundreds attended a matching event at Bethlehem – including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the BBC reported.
"I wish for the Palestinian people that next year will be the year of implementing peace in the occupied Palestinian lands," he said.
'Superficial glitter.' Mass at the Vatican (Photo: AFP)
Nicaraguan pilgrim at Bethlehem church (Photo: AFP)
Revelers build Santa statue in eastern India (Photo: Reuters)
A "blue" Christmas in Sydney, Australia (Photo: AP)
Christmas tree on a Sydney beach (Photo: AP)
A Santa Claus lost his way in South Korea (Photo: AP)
Washington bishop's tricked out home (Photo: AFP)
President Obama arrives in Hawaii for holiday (Photo: AP)
Nicaraguan kids beat the presents out of Santa (Photo: AP)
Kids in Haiti opening donated gifts (Photo: AP)
Baby Jesus, up close and personal in India (Photo: AP)
Worshippers reach out in Sri Lanka (Photo: AFP)
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