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Pope Francis has said that the true meaning of Christmas is being drowned out by materialism.

During a high-security Christmas Mass at the Vatican, the head of the Roman Catholic Church also denounced the continuing suffering of children.

He mentioned those who faced hunger, danger on migration routes and bombing in Syrian cities such as Aleppo.

Those taking part in Saturday's service inside St Peter's Basilica had to pass through metal detectors.

In pictures: Christmas around the world

´óÏó´«Ã½ Vatican correspondent David Willey described what he called a sense of insecurity at the Mass following recent terror attacks in Europe.

The Mass celebrating the birth of Jesus is the first major event of the Christmas season for the Pope, which will include his noon blessing on Christmas Day.

During the service, he said Christmas had been "taken hostage" by materialism, and that the season needed more humility.

He said people now lived in a time "when the lights of commerce cast the light of God into the shadows, when we are concerned for gifts, but cold toward those who are marginalised".

Throughout the past year, the Pope has urged compassion towards refugees, urging Christians to remember that Jesus himself was a migrant.