Pope Francis marks Christmas Eve mass at St. Peter's Basilica

Pope Francis holds a Christmas Eve mass at St.

Peter's Basilica in Vatican City as wars cast a shadow over one of the world's favourite holidays.

He struck a sombre tone during the mass, saying: "Tonight, our hearts are in Bethlehem, where the Prince of Peace is once more rejected by the futile logic of war, by the clash of arms that even today prevents him from finding room in the world."