The traditional Christmas Eve Mass on Sunday took place in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, presided over by Pope Francis and attended by more than 6,500 Catholics. Opening the service, a group of children representing different skin colors placed wreaths around a life-sized statue of baby Jesus.

The Pope said the true message of Christmas is one of love and peace. He criticized as "meaningless" the ongoing wars around the world, especially the conflict in the Holy Land where Jesus was born, adding that people need to love each other to end the violence.

In his noon prayer, read on a balcony in front of thousands of followers in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis delivered another message of peace.

This year the Pope urged believers around the world to practice a simple and frugal lifestyle, to share with those in difficulty.