Christmas marked around the world

Across the world, billions of Christians have been marking Christmas, the traditional birthday of Jesus Christ.

Bethlehem

An Armenian priest prays during Mass in the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, accepted by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus Christ

Worshippers light candles inside the 1,600-year-old church

Nigerian pilgrims pray inside inside the Grotto, where Christians believe Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus

Vatican City

Close to 10,000 people attended the service in St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican

Pope Francis said Christmas was the time to "once more discover who we are"

Beijing

A cross-bearer prepares to enter Beijing's Catholic Church for Mass

The US and British embassies in China had issued a warning about a terror threat in Beijing

Young Chinese worshippers attend the Christmas Eve Mass in China's capital

Iraq

Hundreds attended Mass at the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Deliverance/Salvation in central Baghdad

Christians in Iraq have faced persecution by the so-called Islamic State

Indonesia

Thousands of people held candles at a service in the city of Surabaya

Indonesia was one of the first countries to mark Christmas Day

Australia

Tourists participate in traditional Christmas Day celebrations at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Bangladesh

A Bangladeshi Father Christmas entertained children in the capital Dhaka