In pictures: World celebrates Christmas

People across the world are celebrating Christmas - one of the holiest times in the Christian calendar. However, for the second year in a row, there are smaller crowds at church services and other events because of the continuing coronavirus outbreak. Here's our snapshot of global festivities.

Image source, EPA

Image caption, A volunteer delvers traditional Venezuelan food to the homeless in Caracas on Christmas Day.

Image source, Reuters

Image caption, President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden pose with their German shepherd puppy during a virtual event for service members.

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Image caption, Brave swimmers took the plunge during the annual Weymouth Harbour Christmas swim in Dorset, UK.

Image source, AFP

Image caption, In Kosovo's capital Pristina, a children's choir performed at midnight mass at the Roman Catholic Mother Teresa Cathedral

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Image caption, In Peshawar, Pakistan, young Christian women took selfies before a Christmas service

Image source, Reuters

Image caption, Pope Francis delivered his traditional Urbi et Orbi address from the Vatican on Saturday

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Image caption, Colourful lights and decorations made this footbridge in Taipei, Taiwan, very popular with locals and tourists

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Image source, Reuters

Image caption, Nuns held prayers at a solemn church service in Nairobi, Kenya

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Image caption, Worshippers lit candles in Istanbul, Turkey

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Image caption, In the Palestinian city of Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus, a midnight Mass was held in the Church of the Nativity

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Image caption, On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis led a Mass which was held earlier than usual because of Covid restrictions

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Image caption, Young altar servers assisted during celebrations in Irbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq

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Image caption, When Santa Claus arrived with a a sack of gifts near Iraq's southern city of Basra, he had an enthusiastic reception

Image source, NurPhoto via Getty Images

Image caption, This giant sand sculpture of Santa Claus appeared on the beach at Bay of Bengal in India's eastern Odisha state

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, In Brazil, aquarists dressed as Elf, Santa Claus and Mrs Claus greeted the public inside a huge water tank at AquaRio in Rio de Janeiro

Image source, NurPhoto via Getty Images

Image caption, Meanwhile, a rhino enjoyed its Christmas treats at Orana Wildlife Park on the outskirts of Christchurch, New Zealand

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