By Yousra Elbagir, Sky news correspondent, in Bethlehem 

The thousands-year-old Christmas procession from Jerusalem to Bethlehem is finally being celebrated with festive fanfares after a two-year pause to mourn the devastating war in Gaza.

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, was flanked by adoring crowds as he marched down the ancient, narrow cobblestoned roads to Manger Square in front of the Church of the Nativity and blessed the babies of Bethlehem along the way.

After arriving, the Cardinal stepped up on stage and told the full square of tourists and Palestinians from across the occupied West Bank: "You are the light, we are the light. The light of Bethlehem is the light of the world."

At the base of the Christmas tree towering over Manger Square for the first time since 2022, a nativity display with baby Jesus sitting above a decorated billboard was emblazoned with the text: "From here, the light of peace began."

Read the full Sky News article here