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Thousands of Christian1 pilgrims from around the world are celebrating the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
来自世界各地成千上万的天主教朝圣者会聚伯利恒庆祝耶稣的诞生。
The day culminated2 with Christmas Eve Mass at the 1,700-year-old Church of the Nativity, built on the spot where it is believed Jesus was born.
In Bethlehem, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Jerusalem voiced his support for a Palestinian state.
Meanwhile in the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI held the traditional Mass at St Peter's Basilica.
The pontiff(主教,教皇) urged Christians3 to "find time and room for God in their fast-paced lives".
Benedict prayed that Israelis and Palestinians be able to live their lives in peace. He also prayed for peace in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.
The Mass, usually celebrated4 at midnight, was brought forward by two hours to avoid tiring the 85-year-old pontiff unduly5(过度地).
Later on Tuesday, the Pope will deliver his traditional Christmas message to the city of Rome and to the world (Urbi et Orbi).
World Heritage Site
On Monday, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal said this Christmas would be a celebration of "the birth of Christ our lord and the birth of the state of Palestine".
The patriarch, who was born in Jordan, led a symbolic7 procession from Jerusalem's Old City to the West Bank city, passing through the separation barrier and checkpoint built by the Israelis.
The patriarch(族长,元老) later held the Mass at the Church of Nativity.
"From this holy place, I invite politicians and men of good will to work with determination for peace and reconciliation9 that encompasses10 Palestine and Israel in the midst of all the sufferings in the Middle East," he said.
And referring to last month's hostilities11 between Israel and Gaza militants12, the patriarch said his prayers included "all Arab and Jewish families that have been touched by the conflict".
Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas was present at the Mass.
In November, the United Nations upgraded the status of the Palestinians to that of a "non-member observer state".
Israel - strongly backed by the US - opposed the move, describing it as a Palestinian ploy13 to bypass stalled peace negotiations14.
The Church of Nativity is located in an area of the West Bank governed by the Palestinian Authority.
In June, the church was formally named a Unesco World Heritage Site - the first to be nominated by the Palestinians, who were made full members of Unesco earlier this year.
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