A pandemic Christmas: How people across the world celebrated December 25 holiday; in pics

The Christmas tree in the lights is seen behind the St Sofia Cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine. Despite of COVID-19 quarantine restrictions, a lot of Ukrainians enjoy outdoor Christmas events, often ignoring protective measures. Curfews, quarantines and even border closings complicated Christmas celebrations for countless people around the globe, but ingenuity, determination and imagination helped keep the day special for many. 

Des Moines: Despite temperatures in the single digits, worshipers gather for a Christmas service outside Central Presbyterian Church in Des Moines, Iowa.

Pope Francis delivers his traditional Christmas Day Urbi et Orbi speech at the Vatican.

Lahore: Christians attend a Christmas mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore, Pakistan.

Bali: A woman wearing face mask carries a baby Jesus statue during a procession for a Christmas mass service at a church in Bali, Indonesia.

Pope Francis delivered his Christmas blessing from inside the Vatican, breaking with his traditional speech from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to tens of thousands in St. Peter's Square. But tourism in Italy has virtually vanished in the pandemic and the government's coronavirus restrictions for the holidays foiled any plans by locals to flock to the square.

Palestinians celebrate Christmas amid COVID-19 pandemic.

A Christmas tree is pictured outside the New York Stock Exchange. Fewer people also reportedly headed home to see families, which could help limit the spread of the virus to rural communities, which are even less equipped to handle COVID-19 than cities.

Citing a cause for optimism amid the pandemic's bleakness, Pope Francis said the invention of COVID-19 vaccines shines "lights of hope" on the world. In a passionate appeal to leaders, businesses and international organizations, he said they must ensure that the most vulnerable and needy in the pandemic be first in line to receive the vaccines.

Nicolas Walteros, 52, carries his dog, Coronel, using Santa's hat, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Bogota.

A young visitor is greeted by a diver dressed as Santa Claus at Sea Life aquarium in Bangkok, Thailand.

People wearing Christmas-themed attire pose for photos at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.

Pastors wearing face masks attend during an online Christmas service for social distancing and a precaution against the coronavirus at the Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, South Korea. Churches in South Korea have ignited clusters of coronavirus infections in densely populated Seoul, along with hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants and prisons. The 1,241 new daily cases reported by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Friday was a record for the country. Song Ju-hyeon, a resident in Paju, near Seoul, who is expecting a child in February, said home is the only place she feels safe now. "It doesn't feel like Christmas anyway, there's no carols being played on the streets," she said.

Moscow: People in Red Square decorated for Christmas and New Year celebrations, without the Christmas Market due to the virus-related restrictions, in Moscow, Russia.

Brasilia: A woman and her child walk past illuminated Christmas decoration in Brasilia, Brazil.

Tynemouth: Joggers take an early morning Christmas Day run along Tynemouth Beach, northeast England.