Pilgrims gather in Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas

Pilgrims from across the world gathered in Bethlehem on Monday for Christmas Eve, queuing to see the grotto where Jesus is believed to have been born and taking in a festive parade.

Clergymen attend Christmas celebrations at Manger Square outside the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. Source: AAP

Midnight mass was to be held in Bethlehem later, while Pope Francis was also due to hold mass at the Vatican as Christians celebrate the traditional day of Jesus's birth after a tumultuous year.

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