Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Christmas Eve Around The World - Santa Rosa Press Democrat


Pope Francis kisses a statue of Baby Jesus as he celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Pope Francis is celebrating Christmas Eve with a late-night Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and a phone call to some Iraqi refugees forced to flee their homes by Muslim militants. Francis told refugees at the tent camp in Ankawa, a suburb of Irbil in northern Iraq, that they were like Jesus, forced to flee because there was no place for them. For Christians, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus in a Bethlehem barn manger, chosen because there was no room for his parents at an inn. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)


Members of Indonesian Police bomb squad search for suspicious materials to anticipate terror attacks prior to the Christmas Eve mass at the Messiah Cathedral (Katedral Mesias) in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)


Indian Christians light candles at a Sacred Heart Cathedral on the eve of Christmas in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Christmas is a national holiday in India, marked by millions of all religions and faiths. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal)


Indian Christians participate in a religious procession on the eve of Christmas in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Christmas is a national holiday in India, marked by millions of all religions and faiths. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal)


A man dressed as Santa Claus lights flares as he sits on a boat in Imperia, near Genoa, Italy, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)


Pope Francis kisses a statue of Baby Jesus as he celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Pope Francis is celebrating Christmas Eve with a late-night Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and a phone call to some Iraqi refugees forced to flee their homes by Muslim militants. Francis told refugees at the tent camp in Ankawa, a suburb of Irbil in northern Iraq, that they were like Jesus, forced to flee because there was no place for them. For Christians, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus in a Bethlehem barn manger, chosen because there was no room for his parents at an inn. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)


Pope Francis asperses incense in front of a statue of Baby Jesus as he celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Pope Francis is celebrating Christmas Eve with a late-night Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and a phone call to some Iraqi refugees forced to flee their homes by Muslim militants. Francis told refugees at the tent camp in Ankawa, a suburb of Irbil in northern Iraq, that they were like Jesus, forced to flee because there was no place for them. For Christians, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus in a Bethlehem barn manger, chosen because there was no room for his parents at an inn. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)


Children look at a statue of Baby Jesus during the Christmas Eve Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Pope Francis is celebrating Christmas Eve with a late-night Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and a phone call to some Iraqi refugees forced to flee their homes by Muslim militants. Francis told refugees at the tent camp in Ankawa, a suburb of Irbil in northern Iraq, that they were like Jesus, forced to flee because there was no place for them. For Christians, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus in a Bethlehem barn manger, chosen because there was no room for his parents at an inn. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)


Pope Francis celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Pope Francis is celebrating Christmas Eve with a late-night Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and a phone call to some Iraqi refugees forced to flee their homes by Muslim militants. Francis told refugees at the tent camp in Ankawa, a suburb of Irbil in northern Iraq, that they were like Jesus, forced to flee because there was no place for them. For Christians, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus in a Bethlehem barn manger, chosen because there was no room for his parents at an inn. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)


Pope Francis celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Pope Francis is celebrating Christmas Eve with a late-night Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and a phone call to some Iraqi refugees forced to flee their homes by Muslim militants. Francis told refugees at the tent camp in Ankawa, a suburb of Irbil in northern Iraq, that they were like Jesus, forced to flee because there was no place for them. For Christians, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus in a Bethlehem barn manger, chosen because there was no room for his parents at an inn. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)


Pope Francis removes a veil from a statue of Baby Jesus as he celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Pope Francis is celebrating Christmas Eve with a late-night Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and a phone call to some Iraqi refugees forced to flee their homes by Muslim militants. Francis told refugees at the tent camp in Ankawa, a suburb of Irbil in northern Iraq, that they were like Jesus, forced to flee because there was no place for them. For Christians, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus in a Bethlehem barn manger, chosen because there was no room for his parents at an inn. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)


Pope Francis celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Pope Francis is celebrating Christmas Eve with a late-night Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and a phone call to some Iraqi refugees forced to flee their homes by Muslim militants. Francis told refugees at the tent camp in Ankawa, a suburb of Irbil in northern Iraq, that they were like Jesus, forced to flee because there was no place for them. For Christians, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus in a Bethlehem barn manger, chosen because there was no room for his parents at an inn. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)


Pope Francis, left, flanked by Monsignor Guido Marini, Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Pope Francis is celebrating Christmas Eve with a late-night Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and a phone call to some Iraqi refugees forced to flee their homes by Muslim militants. Francis told refugees at the tent camp in Ankawa, a suburb of Irbil in northern Iraq, that they were like Jesus, forced to flee because there was no place for them. For Christians, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus in a Bethlehem barn manger, chosen because there was no room for his parents at an inn. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)


Pope Francis, center, celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Pope Francis is celebrating Christmas Eve with a late-night Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and a phone call to some Iraqi refugees forced to flee their homes by Muslim militants. Francis told refugees at the tent camp in Ankawa, a suburb of Irbil in northern Iraq, that they were like Jesus, forced to flee because there was no place for them. For Christians, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus in a Bethlehem barn manger, chosen because there was no room for his parents at an inn. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)


Pope Francis celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Pope Francis is celebrating Christmas Eve with a late-night Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and a phone call to some Iraqi refugees forced to flee their homes by Muslim militants. Francis told refugees at the tent camp in Ankawa, a suburb of Irbil in northern Iraq, that they were like Jesus, forced to flee because there was no place for them. For Christians, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus in a Bethlehem barn manger, chosen because there was no room for his parents at an inn. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)


Pope Francis celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Pope Francis is celebrating Christmas Eve with a late-night Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and a phone call to some Iraqi refugees forced to flee their homes by Muslim militants. Francis told refugees at the tent camp in Ankawa, a suburb of Irbil in northern Iraq, that they were like Jesus, forced to flee because there was no place for them. For Christians, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus in a Bethlehem barn manger, chosen because there was no room for his parents at an inn. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)


Pope Francis celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Pope Francis is celebrating Christmas Eve with a late-night Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and a phone call to some Iraqi refugees forced to flee their homes by Muslim militants. Francis told refugees at the tent camp in Ankawa, a suburb of Irbil in northern Iraq, that they were like Jesus, forced to flee because there was no place for them. For Christians, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus in a Bethlehem barn manger, chosen because there was no room for his parents at an inn. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)


Pope Francis holds up the book of the Gospels as he celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014.. Pope Francis is celebrating Christmas Eve with a late-night Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and a phone call to some Iraqi refugees forced to flee their homes by Muslim militants. Francis told refugees at the tent camp in Ankawa, a suburb of Irbil in northern Iraq, that they were like Jesus, forced to flee because there was no place for them. For Christians, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus in a Bethlehem barn manger, chosen because there was no room for his parents at an inn. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)


Myanmar Christians attend a Christmas Mass at Saint Mary's Cathedral Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014, in Yangon, Myanmar. The cathedral is the largest in Myanmar. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win


St. AnthonyÂ’s Catholic Church is decorated with Christmas lights as Myanmar Christians gather for Christmas Mass cerebrations Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win)


Saint Mary's Cathedral is decorated with Christmas lights as Myanmar Christians gather for Christmas Mass cerebrations Thursday, Dec. 25 2014, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win)


Myanmar Christian priests attend a Christmas Mass at Saint Mary's Cathedral Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014, in Yangon, Myanmar. The cathedral is the largest in Myanmar. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win


Myanmar Christian priests pray in front of a Nativity scene at a Christmas Mass at Saint Mary's Cathedral Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014, in Yangon, Myanmar. The cathedral is the largest in Myanmar. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win


Myanmar Christians attend a Christmas Mass at Saint Mary's Cathedral Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014, in Yangon, Myanmar. The cathedral is the largest in Myanmar. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win


Myanmar Christian priests attend a Christmas Mass at Saint Mary's Cathedral Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014, in Yangon, Myanmar. The cathedral is the largest in Myanmar. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win


A Liberian man arranges a Christmas tree at a shop in Monrovia, Liberia, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. The deadly Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone means no festive parties at the beach, no carolers singing at night. (AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh)


Liberian men shop for a Christmas tree in Monrovia, Liberia, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. The deadly Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone means no festive parties at the beach, no carolers singing at night. (AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh)


Iraqi Christians shop for Christmas in central Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Although the number of Christians has dropped in Iraq, Christmas, a national holiday in Iraq, is very popular in the capital. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)


An Iraqi Christian leaves a store after she bought Christmas decoration items in central Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Although the number of Christians has dropped in Iraq, Christmas, a national holiday in Iraq, is very popular in the capital. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)


Iraqi Christians buy a Christmas decoration item in central Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Although the number of Christians has dropped in Iraq, Christmas, a national holiday in Iraq, is very popular in the capital. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)


Liberian men shop for a Christmas tree at a shop in Monrovia, Liberia, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. The deadly Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone means no festive parties at the beach, no carolers singing at night. Authorities this year have banned any activities that could further the spread of the highly contagious virus now blamed for killing more than 7,000 people in West Africa over the past year. (AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh)


Iraqi Christians shop Christmas decoration items in central Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Although the number of Christians has dropped in Iraq, Christmas, a national holiday in Iraq, is very popular in the capital. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)


Iraqi people enter a store carrying Christmas decoration items in central Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Although the number of Christians has dropped in Iraq, Christmas, a national holiday in Iraq, is very popular in the capital. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)


Iraqi Christians attend a Christmas Eve mass at Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Iraqi Christians gathered for Christmas Eve services amid tight security. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)


Iraqi Christians attend a Christmas Eve mass at Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Iraqi Christians gathered for Christmas Eve services amid tight security. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)


Iraqi Christians attend a Christmas Eve mass at Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Iraqi Christians gathered for Christmas Eve services amid tight security. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)


Iraqi Christians attend a Christmas Eve mass at Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Iraqi Christians gathered for Christmas Eve services amid tight security. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)


Iraqi Christians attend a Christmas Eve mass at Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Iraqi Christians gathered for Christmas Eve services amid tight security. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)


Iraqi Christians attend a Christmas Eve mass at Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Iraqi Christians gathered for Christmas Eve services amid tight security. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)


Iraqi Christians attend a Christmas Eve mass at Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Iraqi Christians gathered for Christmas Eve services amid tight security. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)


Iraqi Christians attend a Christmas Eve mass at Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Iraqi Christians gathered for Christmas Eve services amid tight security. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)


Iraqi Christians attend a Christmas Eve mass at Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Iraqi Christians gathered for Christmas Eve services amid tight security. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)


A man dressed as the Virgin Mary with baby Jesus poses for photographs during the early hours of Christmas Day celebrations in the Causeway Bay shopping district in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)


Children prepare to take part in a mass on the eve of Christmas at the South Cathedral official Catholic church in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Estimates for the number of Christians in China range from the conservative official figure of 23 million to as many as 100 million by independent scholars, raising the possibility that Christians may rival in size the 85 million members of the ruling Communist Party. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)


Chinese bishop Joseph Li Shan places a statue of baby Jesus in a replica of a stable as he takes part in a mass on the eve of Christmas at the South Cathedral official Catholic church in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Estimates for the number of Christians in China range from the conservative official figure of 23 million to as many as 100 million by independent scholars, raising the possibility that Christians may rival in size the 85 million members of the ruling Communist Party. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)


Chinese bishop Joseph Li Shan carries a statue of baby Jesus as he takes part in a mass on the eve of Christmas at the South Cathedral official Catholic church in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Estimates for the number of Christians in China range from the conservative official figure of 23 million to as many as 100 million by independent scholars, raising the possibility that Christians may rival in size the 85 million members of the ruling Communist Party. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)


A Chinese woman prays as she takes part in a mass on the eve of Christmas at the South Cathedral official Catholic church in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)


Children dressed up as angels take part in a mass on the eve of Christmas at the South Cathedral official Catholic church in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Estimates for the number of Christians in China range from the conservative official figure of 23 million to as many as 100 million by independent scholars, raising the possibility that Christians may rival in size the 85 million members of the ruling Communist Party. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)


Children wait to dress up as angels to take part in a mass on the eve of Christmas at the South Cathedral official Catholic church in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Estimates for the number of Christians in China range from the conservative official figure of 23 million to as many as 100 million by independent scholars, raising the possibility that Christians may rival in size the 85 million members of the ruling Communist Party. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)


A Chinese man prays during a mass on the eve of Christmas at the South Cathedral official Catholic church in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Estimates for the number of Christians in China range from the conservative official figure of 23 million to as many as 100 million by independent scholars, raising the possibility that Christians may rival in size the 85 million members of the ruling Communist Party. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)


Children wait to dress up as angels to take part in a mass on the eve of Christmas at the South Cathedral official Catholic church in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Estimates for the number of Christians in China range from the conservative official figure of 23 million to as many as 100 million by independent scholars, raising the possibility that Christians may rival in size the 85 million members of the ruling Communist Party. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)


Traffic police officer Manuel Rubio walks among cars in a Santa costume on Christmas Eve in downtown Lima, Peru, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. An annual holiday ritual, LimaÂ’s traffic cops dress as SantaÂ’s helpers and Santa Claus. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)


An Indian Christan comes out from an illuminated Church on the eve of Christmas in Ahmadabad, India, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Christmas is a national holiday in India, marked by millions of all religions and faiths.(AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)


Homeless people sit outside an illuminated church on the eve of Christmas in Ahmadabad, India, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Christmas is a national holiday in India, marked by millions of all religions and faiths.(AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)


A Pakistani Christian man gets a haircut at a street barber in preparation for Christmas in a Christian neighborhood in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)


Pakistani Christians gather in an alley of a Christian neighborhood decorated with festive lights for Christmas in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)


A Palestinian girl dressed in a costume with "Santa's princess" joins a Christmas Eve celebration at Manger Square outside the Church of the Nativity, built atop the site where Christians believe Jesus was born, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Christian pilgrims from around the world have begun to gather in the biblical town of Bethlehem for Christmas Eve celebrations in the traditional birthplace of Jesus. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)


Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal, center right, arrives at the Church of the Nativity, built atop the site where Christians believe Jesus was born, on Christmas Eve in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Christian pilgrims from around the world have begun to gather in the biblical town of Bethlehem for Christmas Eve celebrations in the traditional birthplace of Jesus. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)


Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal, center, arrives at the Church of the Nativity, built atop the site where Christians believe Jesus was born, on Christmas Eve in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Christian pilgrims from around the world have begun to gather in the biblical town of Bethlehem for Christmas Eve celebrations in the traditional birthplace of Jesus. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)


Pakistani vendor Maqbool Mashi sells Santa Claus balloons ahead of Christmas in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)


Catholics attend mass on the eve of Christmas at the South Cathedral official Catholic church in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Estimates for the number of Christians in China range from the conservative official figure of 23 million to as many as 100 million by independent scholars, raising the possibility that Christians may rival in size the 85 million members of the ruling Communist Party. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)


Catholics attend mass on the eve of Christmas at the South Cathedral official Catholic church in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Estimates for the number of Christians in China range from the conservative official figure of 23 million to as many as 100 million by independent scholars, raising the possibility that Christians may rival in size the 85 million members of the ruling Communist Party. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)


Catholics attend mass on the eve of Christmas at the South Cathedral official Catholic church in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Estimates for the number of Christians in China range from the conservative official figure of 23 million to as many as 100 million by independent scholars, raising the possibility that Christians may rival in size the 85 million members of the ruling Communist Party. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)


Children dressed as angels take part in a mass on the eve of Christmas at the South Cathedral official Catholic church in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Estimates for the number of Christians in China range from the conservative official figure of 23 million to as many as 100 million by independent scholars, raising the possibility that Christians may rival in size the 85 million members of the ruling Communist Party. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)


Children dressed as angels take part in a mass on the eve of Christmas at the South Cathedral official Catholic church in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Estimates for the number of Christians in China range from the conservative official figure of 23 million to as many as 100 million by independent scholars, raising the possibility that Christians may rival in size the 85 million members of the ruling Communist Party. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)


An illuminated All Saints Cathedral is seen on the eve of Christmas in Allahabad, India, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Although Christians comprise only two percent of the population Christmas is a national holiday and is observed across the country as an occasion to celebrate. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)


Children dressed as angels take part in a mass on the eve of Christmas at the South Cathedral official Catholic church in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Estimates for the number of Christians in China range from the conservative official figure of 23 million to as many as 100 million by independent scholars, raising the possibility that Christians may rival in size the 85 million members of the ruling Communist Party. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)


Pakistani Christian family members gather around a fire to warm themselves from the evening cold in an alley of a Christian neighborhood decorated with festive lights for Christmas in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)


A street vendor sells a T-shirt with portrait of the Russian President Vladimir Putin at a Christmas market in St.Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. The sign on the T-shirt signs 'The most polite man'. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)


A street vendor sells T-shirts with portraits of the Russian President Vladimir Putin at a Christmas market in St.Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)


A woman chooses purchases next to a kiosk selling T-shirts with a portrait of the Russian President Vladimir Putin at a Christmas market in St.Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. The sign on the T-shirt signs 'Putin is ( all right )'. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)


A woman chooses purchases next to a kiosk selling T-shirts with a portrait of the Russian President Vladimir Putin at a Christmas market in St.Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. The sign on the T-shirt signs 'Putin is ( all right )'. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)


A street vendor hangs T-shirts with Soviet emblems and portraits of the Russian President Vladimir Putin at a Christmas market in St.Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. The sign on left T-shirt signs 'Putin is my President'. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)


Pakistani Christians prepare a Christmas tree at an enclosure in preparation for Christmas in Islamabad's slums, Pakistan, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)


Students dressed as Santa Claus participate in Christmas celebrations at a school in Jammu, India, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Christians make up about 2 percent of the population in India, a secular country of more than 1 billion people where Hindus form the overwhelming majority. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)


Students dressed in festive clothing participate in Christmas celebrations at a school in Jammu, India, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Christmas Day is observed as a national holiday in India. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)


Volunteers clad in Santa Claus costumes throw their hats in the air as they gather to deliver gifts for the poor in downtown Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)


Indonesians dressed as Santa Clause hand out gifts to child travelers as part of Christmas celebrations at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, Dec., 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)


Volunteers clad in Santa Claus costumes take their pictures as they gather to deliver gifts for the poor in downtown Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)


Christian pilgrims from Nigeria pray inside the Grotto of the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Christmas Eve Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)


A Palestinian dressed as Santa Claus holds balloons at Manger Square, outside the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Christmas Eve Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)


Pakistani Christian children enjoy a ride on a hand-operated Ferris wheel for the price of 10 rupees, (10 U.S. cents), at a makeshift entertainment park set up in a slum that hosts Christian families, in preparation for the Christmas holiday on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)









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