POPE MAKES PLEA FOR REFUGEES

POPE Francis has likened the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem to the migrations of millions today who are forced to leave homelands for a better life, or just for survival.

In his Christmas Eve remarks, he expressed hope that no one will feel “there is no room for them on this Earth.”

Pope Francis celebrated late evening Christmas vigil mass in the splendour of St Peter’s Basilica.

Noting that Mary and Joseph arrived in a land “where there was no place for them,” Pope Francis drew parallels to contemporary time.

“So many other footsteps are hidden in the footsteps of Joseph and Mary,” he said in his homily.

Sunday’s festivities in Jerusalem were held against the backdrop of protests over US President Donald Trump’s declaration of the city as the capital of Israel.

Vatican officials crossed a checkpoint from Jerusalem ahead of midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity.

Picture: AFP PHOTO A man dressed as Santa Claus rides in a motorbike sidecar ahead of the motorcade of Vatican officials going to the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank, for mass.