Hyderabad: Devotees in large numbers thronged to decked-up churches across the world to attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve as well as to celebrate the festival with great fervour and gaiety.
Wearing their choicest attire, devotees sang carols and read the story of Jesus Christ's birth from the Bible.
The midnight mass was held in several major churches across the globe.
Midnight mass is the first liturgy of Christmastide that is celebrated on the night of Christmas eve. ETV Bharat brings some celebrations that took place in major capitals of the world.
Vatican City
Pope Francis kisses a statue of Baby Jesus as he celebrates Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Bethlehem
The acting Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa leads a Christmas midnight mass in the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank town of Bethlehem. Lithuania
Priests and clergy walk in a procession to attend the Christmas celebration midnight Mass at the Cathedral-Basilical in Vilnius, Lithuania. Turkey
People light candles during a Catholic Christmas Eve mass in St. Antoine Church, the largest church of the Roman Catholic Church, in Istanbul. Vatican City
Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Bethlehem
A Palestinian Scout marching band parade during Christmas celebrations outside the Church of the Nativity, built atop the site where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born, on Christmas Eve, in the West Bank City of Bethlehem. Bethlehem
A visitor lights a candle at the Church of the Nativity built on top of the site where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born on Christmas Eve, in the West Bank City of Bethlehem. United States
Friends follow a holiday tradition by gathering under approximately 10,000 lights decorating Bob's Garage in O'Hara Township, Pa. Italy
People walk on a bridge of the Naviglio Grande canal that was decorated with Christmas lights, in Milan, Italy. Hong Kong
Visitors pose for photographs with Christmas trees at the Harbour City shopping mall in Hong Kong. Palestine
A Palestinian Christian man plays with his baby as they wait for the Christmas Mass outside the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City. South Korea
Volunteers and children clad in Santa Claus costumes throw their hats in the air during a Christmas charity event as they gather to deliver gifts for the poor in Seoul. Pakistan
Pakistani Christians attend midnight services at St. Anthony's Church to celebrate Christmas in Lahore. Russia
A Christmas tree decorated for Christmas and New Year celebrations placed in front of Stalin's style Ukraine skyscraper, now Radisson Hotel in Moscow. Germany
Tens of thousands take part in the Christmas carol singing event at the Alte Forsterei stadium of the German first division soccer team of 1.FC Union Berlin. 
