Pope Francis led he Christmas Eve service in the Vatican's St Peter's Basilica on Sunday.
The Christmas service in St Peter's Cathedral was attended by around 6,500 people, incluiding the faithful, as well cardinals, bishops and other Church authorities. More than a hundred television stations around the world broadcasted the event.
During the mass, Pope Francis referred to the ongoing conlict in the Gaza Strip, as he remarked Bethlehem, the city where Jesus was born according to Christian tradition, is 'celebrating Christmas with sadness and sorrow', he reportedly claimed.
After the service, the 87-year-old Pontifex is set lead the Christmas Day 'Urbi et Orbi' prayer, where he traditionally addresses international conflicts and sends a message to the word.
Pope Francis led he Christmas Eve service in the Vatican's St Peter's Basilica on Sunday.
The Christmas service in St Peter's Cathedral was attended by around 6,500 people, incluiding the faithful, as well cardinals, bishops and other Church authorities. More than a hundred television stations around the world broadcasted the event.
During the mass, Pope Francis referred to the ongoing conlict in the Gaza Strip, as he remarked Bethlehem, the city where Jesus was born according to Christian tradition, is 'celebrating Christmas with sadness and sorrow', he reportedly claimed.
After the service, the 87-year-old Pontifex is set lead the Christmas Day 'Urbi et Orbi' prayer, where he traditionally addresses international conflicts and sends a message to the word.
Pope Francis led he Christmas Eve service in the Vatican's St Peter's Basilica on Sunday.
The Christmas service in St Peter's Cathedral was attended by around 6,500 people, incluiding the faithful, as well cardinals, bishops and other Church authorities. More than a hundred television stations around the world broadcasted the event.
During the mass, Pope Francis referred to the ongoing conlict in the Gaza Strip, as he remarked Bethlehem, the city where Jesus was born according to Christian tradition, is 'celebrating Christmas with sadness and sorrow', he reportedly claimed.
After the service, the 87-year-old Pontifex is set lead the Christmas Day 'Urbi et Orbi' prayer, where he traditionally addresses international conflicts and sends a message to the word.