Christians celebrated Christmas globally amid festive atmosphere as prayers were read out, hoping peace prevails across the world.

Christians celebrated Christmas globally amid festive atmosphere as prayers were read out, hoping peace prevails across the world.

In Vatican, Pope Francis presided over first Christmas Mass since he was elected and called on adopting the way of loving God and man.

He called for humanitarian aid access in Syria and "social harmony" in South Sudan on his first Christmas in the Vatican after months of shaking up the papacy with his humble style and common touch.

"Too many lives have been shattered in recent times by the conflict in Syria, fueling hatred and vengeance," the 77-year-old pope told a crowd of tens of thousands of faithful in St Peter's Square.

"Let us continue to ask the Lord to spare the beloved Syrian people further suffering, and to enable the parties in conflict to put an end to all violence and guarantee access to humanitarian aid," he said.

In Bethlehem, the cradle of Christianity, the Palestinians celebrated the occasion as President Mahmoud Abbas and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the European Union Catherine Ashton attended Christmas mass.

In Syria, the feast's joy did not appear as the citizens stayed home to shun the terrorist attacks that have stormed the country since over 2 years.

In Iraq, the worshippers took the advantage of the improving stability to fill the churches and asserted the importance of clinging to the land.

In Lebanon, Christmas was marked by masses and celebrations across the country.

In this context, the southern Suburb of Beirut Dahiyeh marked Christmas as its Christian residents read out masses in the different churches and celebrated the occasion amid an atmosphere of joy, peace and coexistence.

The Christians also celebrated Christmas all over the western countries.