celebrate its first festive Christmas in more than two years. Throughout the Gaza war that began with Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023, a sombre tone marked Chistmases in Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus Christ. But on Wednesday, celebrations were in full swing again in the occupied West Bank city, as a fragile truce held in the Gaza Strip where hundreds of thousands of people face the winter living in makeshift tents. In the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV was due to deliver his first Christmas Mass at 2030 GMT at Saint Peter's Basilica, after he called for "24 hours of peace in the whole world". She US pontiff was elected by fellow cardinals in May following the death of Pope Francis. He has a more discreet and conciliatory style than his charismatic predecessor, but Leo has followed in Francis's footsteps on key issues like immigration and social justice. Across the world, families began gathering to mark Christmas Eve and millions of children everywhere waited eagerly for their gifts to be delivered. (Bssnews)