Hundreds of Christians have attended Christmas Eve Mass in Mosul, a former stronghold of Islamic State, six months after the extremist group was driven out of the northern Iraqi city.
The worshippers gathered at St Paul Church in the eastern section of Mosul on Sunday, marking the first Christmas celebration in the city since Islamic State seized it in 2014.
There was tight security for fear of attacks by Islamic State's sleeper cells.
"I am very happy for having attended this mass along with hundreds of others," said Sarah Boutros, who had come along with her family.
Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Sako called on other Christians to return to Mosul now that Islamic State militants have been expelled.
Islamic State perpetrated mass abuses against Iraq's Christian and Yezidi minorities, which the radical group regards as infidels.
In July, Iraqi government forces, backed by US-led air power, recaptured Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city.
Baghdad announced this month a final military victory over Islamic State, capping a three-year campaign.
