Christian Pilgrims light candles December 23 near the altar inside St. Catherines Franciscan Church where the annual Christmas eve Midnight Mass will take place. St. Catherine's church is the site is built adjacent to the ancient Church of the Nativity, one of the oldest churches in the world, and the traditional birthplace of Jesus Christ. Both churches are just off Manger Square, recently repaved as part of a large multi-million dollar construction project called "Bethlehem 2000.

RH/GB