The Pope holds his seventh Christmas Eve mass in St. Peter's Basilica.

Pilgrims from around the world gathered on Tuesday in the biblical city of Bethlehem, revered by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus, ushering in Christmas celebrations across the globe.

The Christmas spirit was overwhelming at Manger Square, where Palestinian youngsters in red and yellow uniforms march. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa hosted a ceremony in Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity. In attendance was Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Palestinian Tourism Minister Rula Maaya said the West Bank welcomed 3.5 million tourists on this occasion, 500 thousand more compared to last year. All hotels were fully booked as 15,000 people spent the Christmas night in Bethlehem.

In France, for the first time in over 200 years, no Christmas Mass was held at the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. The church is still being restored after suffering severe damage in a fire earlier this year.

Typhoon Phanfone smashed into the central Philippines on Tuesday, leaving thousands of people unable to get home for the  holidays and forcing many others to evacuate in the face of the onslaught.

In Vietnam, Hanoians took to the streets on Tuesday night to celebrate Christmas. Churches and shops have been decorated with colored lights, Christmas trees and statues. Friends gathered near St. Joseph’s Cathedral in downtown Hanoi to play and take group photos. Christmas celebrations are prevailing throughout Ho Chi Minh city with locals and tourists gathering at the city's Notre Dame Cathedral.