Pope Francis prays during the Christmas night mass in the Saint Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 24
Reuters
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Pope Francis began his first Christmas Eve Mass as pontiff by placing a baby Jesus statue in a replica of a manger in St. Peter’s Basilica.
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Francis, who turned 77 a week ago, walked briskly up the main aisle of the basilica, which was packed with faithful and tourists at the start of Mass.
Reuters
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Pope Francis holds up the host as he celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
AP
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Pope Francis blesses a statue of baby Jesus as he celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
AP
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Pope Francis celebrates the Christmas night mass in the Saint Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican December 24, 2013. REUTERS/Tony Gentile (VATICAN – Tags: RELIGION)
Reuters
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Pope Francis (C) leads a Christmas Eve mass at St Peter’s Basilica to mark the nativity of Jesus Christ, on December 24, 2013 at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO…
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Pope Francis, left, celebrates the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013. Pope Francis has begun celebrating his first Christmas Eve Mass as…
AP
