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Christmas, a season of twinkling lights, boundless joy, and cherished traditions, unfolds today across the globe in a dazzling tapestry of cultures.
From the frosty carol-filled markets of Europe to the sun-drenched beaches of Australia, it’s a celebration that transcends borders, weaving together faith, family, and festivity.
At the Vatican, Pope Francis began the 2025 Holy Year on Tuesday, launching a celebration expected to draw 32 million pilgrims to Rome.
From his wheelchair, Francis knocked on Saint Peter's Basilica's Holy Door, which opened to the sound of tolling bells.
He entered as the choir began Christmas Eve Mass.
Families from five continents followed through the Holy Door, watched by Swiss Guards and cardinals in golden robes.
Among the faithful is John Farrell, a 25-year-old from the U-S state of Pennsylvania.
"When I've seen the doors open, it was amazing. I flew over here, I got here today just to see this, and I want to walk through the Holy Door. It was amazing. I got chills down my spine, took my breath away. I was like 'oh', it was pretty cool. Pope Francis, I think he's a down to earth guy. He's a really good guy. I really like him."
2025 is of special significance as it is a Jubilee year.
In the Catholic Church it is a special time of grace, prayer, and renewal, marked by pilgrimages, forgiveness, and spiritual reflection.
Held every 25 years or for specific occasions, it features the opening of Holy Doors in major basilicas, symbolising a path to salvation, and events promoting faith and unity.
In Gaza, under siege now into its second year, where more than 45,000 Palestinians have been killed, Christmas cheer and joy are nowhere to be seen or felt.
Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa is the top Catholic cleric in the Holy Land.
On Christmas Eve he stood at the Bayt Laham separation wall, or in English, the Bethlehem separation wall, greeting people in Manger Square, asking them to receive him.
"The war is terrible with all the consequences of division, and we are in the place where divisions are very evident also from the structural point of view. To go through, the meaning is that it is possible even where there are enormous and difficult walls - it's possible to just pass them if we want. And we want, especially for this Christmas, we want to tell our people not to lose hope."
He held the service after returning from a trip to Gaza which he described as a disaster zone, but also delivered a message of hope — to Christians in the West Bank.
“I’ve just arrived yesterday from Gaza. I saw everything destroyed, a disaster, war. But I also saw life. They don’t give up. So, you also, we also, we don’t give up.”
The cardinal expressed his anger and sorrow at the enormous destruction but also expressed hope that there could be more constructive dialogue between Christians, Jews and Muslims.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, embroiled in a war with Russia, now in its third year, says Ukrainians, like Palestinians, are unable to fully feel the Christmas spirit.
"Tonight is a very special evening, Christmas Eve. And this is our third Christmas during wartime. Our great Ukrainian family cannot fully celebrate it the way we would like to, the way it should be celebrated. ... For the second time, we celebrate Christmas on the same date as one big family, one country. For the second time in modern history, Christmas unites all Ukrainians. Today we are side by side."
Meanwhile, literally closer to the Heavens this Christmas are seven astronauts’ side-by-side aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Don Pettit, Nick Hague, and Barry Wilmore shared holiday greetings and well wishes with those on Earth.
Ms Williams and Mr Wilmore, originally scheduled for an eight-day mission starting the 5th of June, have been stranded in space since NASA sent Boeing’s Starliner capsule back empty in September due to technical issues.
Ms Williams, unable to be with her family in person, celebrated Christmas with her space family.
"Welcome to the International Space Station as we get ready for the Christmas holidays. It's a great time of year up here. We get to spend it with all of our family up on the International Space Station. There's seven of us up here, and so we're going to get to enjoy company together. And one of the best things that I like about Christmas is the preparation and just getting ready in the anticipation, everybody getting together and preparing stuff and just getting ready for the holiday."
NASA confirmed Ms Williams' and Mr Wilmore's return has been delayed to late March or April, pending the launch of their replacements.
