Sombre Christmas in Gaza church - in pictures

  • Prayers are conducted in the morning and Mass in the evening every day at Holy Family Church in Gaza. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
    Prayers are conducted in the morning and Mass in the evening every day at Holy Family Church in Gaza. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
  • Prayers will be the focus of Christmas this year, as parishioners rely on resilience and courage in the face of bombing and destruction surrounding the church in Gaza. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
    Prayers will be the focus of Christmas this year, as parishioners rely on resilience and courage in the face of bombing and destruction surrounding the church in Gaza. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
  • A nativity scene to mark Christmas at the Holy Family Church. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
    A nativity scene to mark Christmas at the Holy Family Church. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
  • Prayers for lasting peace in Gaza and safety for families and children are held at the church. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
    Prayers for lasting peace in Gaza and safety for families and children are held at the church. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
  • Fr Gabriel Romanelli, left, and Cardinal Pierbattista Piazzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, right, with parishioners. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
    Fr Gabriel Romanelli, left, and Cardinal Pierbattista Piazzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, right, with parishioners. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
  • Fr Carlos Ferrero, right, waits with priests for the daily phone call from Pope Francis. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
    Fr Carlos Ferrero, right, waits with priests for the daily phone call from Pope Francis. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
  • Destruction in the areas surrounding the Holy Family Church in Gaza. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
    Destruction in the areas surrounding the Holy Family Church in Gaza. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
  • The neighbourhood surrounding the church. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
    The neighbourhood surrounding the church. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
  • A child adds an ornament to a Christmas tree at the Holy Family Church. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
    A child adds an ornament to a Christmas tree at the Holy Family Church. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
  • Children learn the message of hope and courage near a Christmas tree at the Holy Family Church in Gaza. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
    Children learn the message of hope and courage near a Christmas tree at the Holy Family Church in Gaza. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
  • Nuns help children decorate the Christmas tree. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
    Nuns help children decorate the Christmas tree. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
  • Christian parishioners gather around to speak to Pope Francis on the phone. The Pope calls daily to check on the safety of about 400 Christians at the Holy Family Church. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
    Christian parishioners gather around to speak to Pope Francis on the phone. The Pope calls daily to check on the safety of about 400 Christians at the Holy Family Church. Photo: Holy Family Church Gaza
  • Fr Carlos Ferrero, a Catholic priest, in the rubble surrounding the church. Photo: Holy Family Church
    Fr Carlos Ferrero, a Catholic priest, in the rubble surrounding the church. Photo: Holy Family Church
  • A model of baby Jesus swaddled in a keffiyeh in a manger in one of the oldest Lutheran churches in the Palestinian territories. Photo: Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church, Bethlehem
    A model of baby Jesus swaddled in a keffiyeh in a manger in one of the oldest Lutheran churches in the Palestinian territories. Photo: Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church, Bethlehem