Pope Francis named two Palestinian women as saints yesterday, in a ceremony in Saint Peter’s Square days after the Vatican formalised its de facto recognition of the State of Palestine.

Christian pilgrims from around the world have begun to gather in the biblical town of Bethlehem for Christmas Eve celebrations at the traditional birthplace of Jesus.

The largest number of pilgrims in a decade have gathered in Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas.

Thousands of tourists, pilgrims and clergy are converging on Bethlehem as the town of Jesus’ birth celebrates Christmas Eve.

POPE BENEDICT XVI urged Middle East Christians yesterday to persevere in their faith despite hardships threatening their ancient communities, addressing a crowd of 20,000 people who filled a sports stadium where he celebrated the first open-air Mass of his Holy Land pilgrimage.