From skiing Santas in the US and Mass with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, to giant cuts of meat being thrown into crowds in London, Christmas celebrations around the world are in full swing.

Worshippers in Ukraine, China, and Pakistan gathered for Christmas Eve services at their local churches. While most Christians mark Christmas on 25 December, many Orthodox Christians do not celebrate until 7 January.

Here are some of the best images of the holiday cheer around the world.

- A skiing Santa delights crowds during an annual Waterskiing Santa event in Alexandria, Virginia.
- Pope Leo holds a figurine of Baby Jesus during Christmas Eve Mass in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Italy.
- Two women take a photo in front of the Christmas tree in Nativity Square in Bethlehem, celebrated as the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
- A woman lights a candle with her son during a Christmas Eve service in Kyiv, Ukraine.
- Worshippers attend a Christmas Eve mass at the Church of the Saviour in Beijing, China.
- Christians attend midnight Mass at Central Brooks Memorial Church in Karachi, Pakistan.
- A man decorates a Christmas tree during Christmas Eve celebrations in Islamabad, Pakistan.
- Women hold candles attending a Christmas Eve mass in Nairobi, Kenya.
- The Notre-Dame Cathedral is illuminated in bright colors ahead of midnight Christmas mass in Paris, France.
- Fishermen dressed as Santa and the Grinch on a boat in Valparaiso Bay, Chile, bringing joy to those at sea.