The Archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Josip Bozanic, led Christmas Eve Mass in St Stephen's Cathedral in Zagreb on Saturday, telling the congregation to enjoy the nearness of God and not to be afraid.

"Our hearts are now illuminated by the Holy Spirit and we should not be afraid," the archbishop said. He invited the faithful to open themselves up to God because "God's love is among us."

"The history of humanity is in God's hands, or more precisely, in the very heart of God, even though sometimes it seems that it is run by the power-wielders of this world," Bozanic said.

Bozanic also led Christmas Day Mass in the Zagreb Cathedral, which was attended by senior state officials, including President Ivo Josipovic, Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic and Parliament Speaker Boris Sprem.

Addressing reporters after the Mass, all three officials extended their best wishes for Christmas.

"These were messages of peace and unity. That is what we will need in Croatia, to respect ourselves and others, and have others respect us, to be together in these difficult times," Prime Minister Milanovic said.

Christmas was also celebrated by Catholic Croats in neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Serbia. In a packed Cathedral of the Heart of Jesus in Sarajevo, Christmas Eve Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Vinko Puljic, while in Belgrade, Archbishop Stanislav Hocevar said Christmas Eve Mass in the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary.