Best pictures from December 25
Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Christmas mass at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on December 24, 2011, to mark the nativity of Jesus Christ.GABRIEL BOUYS
A man lights a candle during a Christmas mass in the golden-domed Alexander Nevsky cathedral in central Sofia on December 25, 2011.NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV
A competitor dressed up as Santa Claus jumps into the sea during the 102nd Barcelona Traditional Christmas Swimming Cup at the Old Harbour of Barcelona on December 25, 2011 in Barcelona, Spain.David Ramos
Pope Benedict XVI waves as he delivers Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) Christmas Day message from the central balcony of Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican December 25, 2011.ALESSANDRO BIANCHI
A car burns at the scene of a bomb explosion at St. Theresa Catholic Church at Madalla, Suleja, just outside Nigeria's capital Abuja, December 25, 2011.AFOLABI SOTUNDE
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, right, is escorted by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao inspect a guard of honor during a welcoming ceremony at Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011.Andy Wong
A cadet from the Pakistan Air Force is silhouetted against the morning sun during a guard mounting ceremony at the mausoleum of Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi December 25, 2011.AKHTAR SOOMRO
A group of foreigners and South Koreas prepare to launch helium balloons carrying socks to drift across the border to needy North Koreans, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011 in Paju, South Korea.Wally Santana
New North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (front) walks with a row of top military officers, including Jang Song-thaek (L), as they pay their respects to former leader Kim Jong-il lying in state at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang, in this picture released by KCNA December 26, 2011.KCNA
North Koreans make a call of condolence for deceased North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang in this picture released by KCNA December 26, 2011.KCNA
Britain's Prince William, Prince Charles and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (L-R) arrive for a Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Royal estate at Sandringham, Norfolk in east England December 25, 2011.SUZANNE PLUNKETT