Crowds gather in Bethlehem for Christmas Eve celebrations amid calls for peace in the Middle East Tourists have packed Manger Square where the Church of the Nativity 'sits on the spot where Jesus was born' The number of visitors to Bethlehem at Christmas has been growing in recent years after a period of relative calm in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Monsignor Fuad Twal, has called for a solution to the decades-old conflict Large crowds today began to gather in the biblical town of Bethlehem for Christmas Eve celebrations. Hundreds of tourists packed the town's Manger Square where the nearby Church of the Nativity allegedly sits on the spot where tradition claims Jesus was born. The number of visitors remains below the levels of the late 1990s, when Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts were at their height. Following the outbreak of a Palestinian uprising in 2000, the numbers plunged. But thanks to a period of relative calm, they have been steadily climbing in recent years - and are expected to get an extra push this year thanks to the resumption of peace talks. Girls wearing traditional Palestinian costumes take part in a Christmas procession at Manger Square in front of the Church of the Nativity, the site revered as the birthplace of Jesus, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem Celebrations: A performer entertains children with a giant Santa Claus puppet at a Christmas parade in Manger Square Musical: A Palestinian marching band performs during a Christmas procession at Manger Square Palestinian Tourism Minister Rula Maayah says the Palestinians 'deserve to have peace'. Meanwhile the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem called for a 'just and equitable solution' to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict and for reconciliation in the Middle East. Monsignor Fuad Twal issued his plea in a homily he is to deliver at Christmas Eve midnight mass in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, a copy of which was obtained by AFP. The service will be attended by Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and other dignitaries. Horse-mounted Israeli police officers escort Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal as he is driven from Jerusalem to attend Christmas celebrations in the West Bank town of Bethlehem A priest holds a cross as he awaits the arrival of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Twal, outside the Church of Nativity Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal, center, arrives to the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal, second left, is escorted by Bethlehem Mayor Vera Baboun, left, as he waves to waiting crowds The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal kisses a cross before entering the Church of Nativity, the site revered as the birthplace of Jesus Nuns follow the service led by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fuad Twal as Christians gather for Christmas celebrations in the West Bank city of Bethlehem The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fuad Twal sprinkles holy water outside the Church of the Nativity Addressing Abbas, he said: 'We pray for you and for your mission in finding a just and equitable solution to the present conflict, for Palestinian unity, for the peace and prosperity of your country. We ask God to grant you wisdom and courage. 'In the Holy Land, we are living a conflict that does not seem to have a solution in the short term and which weighs heavily' on its inhabitants,' said Twal, who its senior Roman Catholic prelate. 'This painful reality raises numerous questions concerning our future in this country and causes us much worry,' added the 73-year-old patriarch. But 'the answer lies neither in emigration nor in closing in on ourselves. It consists in staying here and in living and dying here,' he added, echoing Pope Francis's concerns of a massive exodus of Christians from the Middle East. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fuad Twal leads the service at the Church of the Nativity as thousands of Palestinians and tourists flocked into the West Bank city of Bethlehem to mark Christmas in the 'little town' where many believe Jesus Christ was born A Greek Orthodox priest walks inside the Church of the Nativity, the site revered as the birthplace of Jesus, ahead of Christmas in the West Bank town of Bethlehem Peace to pray: A visitor prays next to burning candles in the Church of the Nativity Christian worshippers pray inside inside the Grotto, where Christians believe Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus Nigerian pilgrims stand inside inside the Grotto during Christmas celebrations at the Church of the Nativity From this Holy Place, we remember all the adversities in our world: from civil wars in Africa to the typhoon in the Philippines, the difficult situation in Egypt and in Iraq, the tragedy playing out in Syria. He also spoke of 'our own problems here: the prisoners and their families who hope for their release, the poor who have lost their land and their homes demolished, families waiting to be reunited, those out of work and all who suffer from the economic crisis'. In prayer, he said: 'O Holy Child, God of goodness and mercy, look with kindness on the Holy Land and on our people who live in Palestine, in Israel, in Jordan and all in the Middle East. Grant them the gift of reconciliation so that they may all be brothers - sons of one God. Palestinian children dressed up as Santa Claus pose for a photograph at Manger Square A Palestinian youth dressed as Santa Claus holds balloons at Manger Square, outside the Church of the Nativity Spectacle: Christian nuns watch a Christmas celebration in Manger Square, outside the Church of the Nativity A member of a Palestinian marching band blows a bagpipe during the Christmas procession