Pope Francis is celebrating his first Christmas as leader of the world's Catholics, riding a wave of popularity and influence after a year shaking up the papacy with his humble style, sense of humour and common touch.
Francis's inaugural Christmas blessing will be closely watched for the messages chosen by Latin America's first pope, who has accumulated 10 million followers on Twitter - nearing rock-star popularity - and was named "Person of the Year" by Time and the US gay rights magazine The Advocate.
Popes often delve into politics and current events in the message whose title literally means "To the City and the World" - praying, for instance, for the victims of conflict or economic injustice.
