Christians from across the world have gathered in the West Bank town of Bethlehem to mark Christmas Eve in the place they believe Jesus was born.

Celebrations culminated with midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity.

In a homily, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal, called on Jews, Muslims and Christians to "live together as equals with mutual respect".

Thousands of pilgrims earlier crowded into Manger Square to watch a procession led by Patriarch Twal.

The most senior Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land said he hoped 2015 would be "better than this difficult year".

"I hope next year there will be no separation wall and I hope we will have bridges of peace instead," he added. "Peace comes from justice and we have a cause which we hope will be solved soon."

He appeared to be referring to barrier Israel is building in and around the West Bank, which separates Bethlehem from Jerusalem, and the Palestinians' submission to the UN Security Council of a draft resolution that would set a 12-month deadline to reach a peace deal with Israel.

"Our message this Christmas is a message of peace like every year, but what we added this year is that all we want from Christmas is justice," said Palestinian Tourism Minister Rula Maayah.

"Justice for our people, justice for our case and the right to live like all other people in the world in our independent state without the occupation."

Patriarch Twal urged Christians not to forget the residents of Gaza, where up to 19,600 families displaced by the 50-day conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants are still in need of medium- and long-term shelter, and the people of Syria and Iraq, who are struggling to cope with a civil war and the advance of jihadist militants from Islamic State (IS).

(BBC)