Latin Patriarch of Palestine and Jordan Fuad Twal arrived at the Nativity Church in Bethlehem on Saturday, as thousands gathered to celebrate the annual Christmas mass. After greeting the crowd, he will spend a short time in the church performing an annual blessing. Twal will emerge thereafter and wish those waiting outside a Merry Christmas. Celebrations follow until midnight mass, which will be attended by senior clergy and government officials including the president. Tens of thousands of pilgrims are in Bethlehem for the occasion.