Today's best photos: From Pope Francis with an audience of nuns to rain at the Taj Mahal

The National picks the most striking images from around the world

Pope Francis speaks to nuns during the weekly general audience, in Paul VI hall at the Vatican, November 29, 2023. Vatican Media/­Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre plays a shot from the ninth tee during the first round of the Australian Open at the Lakes Golf Club in Sydney. EPA

A horse rolls in the snow in Ballater, Scotland. Getty Images

The partially illuminated Berlin headquarters of Signa after it announced it will file for insolvency. The European property developer has stakes in New York's Chrysler Building, and luxury department stores KaDeWe in Berlin and Selfridges in London. EPA

Schoolchildren in Amritsar, India, line up to represent a ribbon on the eve of World Aids Day. AFP

A dog walker ventures out after this winter's first snowfall in Zurich, Switzerland. EPA

Families gather on the beach at Deir Al Balah, Gaza, during the temporary truce between Israel and Hamas. AFP

People visit a Christmas-themed park in Taguig, Manila, in the Philippines. AFP

Israeli soldiers gather for a briefing next to tanks on the southern border with the Gaza strip during the temporary truce. AFP

A worker gathers poinsettas, the traditional Christmas flowers, at Uniplumo nursery in Wyestown, Dublin, Ireland. Reuters

A dog looks out from its cage as police in Seoul, South Korea, block a protest against government plans to ban dog meat. Getty Images

Tourists shelter under umbrellas as they visit the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. AFP

More from The National:

Wednesday's best photos: From Notre-Dame's reconstruction to a falcon named Imp

Tuesday's best photos: From winter in India to the Wonka premiere in the UK

Monday's best photos: From a rainbow over Beirut to John Lennon's mosaic eye

Sunday's best photos: From Thailand's annual Monkey Festival to bodyboarding in Hawaii

Saturday's best photos: From free skating to candy canes

Friday's best photos: From Black Friday to Thanksgiving haircuts