People across the world are celebrating one of the holiest times in the Christian calendar. But this year's church services and events (Christmas Day is celebrated by western churches on 25 December but by eastern churches on 7 January) are being attended by far fewer people because of the coronavirus outbreak. Social distancing and wearing masks are now the new must.

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image captionIn Australia, Christmas-themed attire was popular among swimmers at Sydney's famous Bondi Beach

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image captionPope Francis led a Christmas Eve Mass in St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican before a drastically reduced congregation

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image captionIn his homily, the pontiff said Christmas was a time not to feel sorry for oneself - but to comfort others

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image captionThe traditional midnight Mass was held earlier because of a curfew. About 100 people attended the service, down from the usual thousands

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image captionIn India, children lit candles at the entrance gate of the Sacred Heart Cathedral in the capital Delhi

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image captionThese women prayed silently during the service in St Andrew's Church in Karachi, Pakistan

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image captionIn the UK, residents of the village of Woodend, Northamptonshire, decorated their houses in the run-up to Christmas

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image captionIn Iraq, people gathered around a fire during a Mass in the Virgin Mary Church in the capital Baghdad

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image captionAnd there were festive cheers at this centre for the elderly in Santiago de Compostela in Spain