In his Easter message to the world, the Pope urged humanity not to accept the inevitable but to achieve peace and see to it that technological progress served everyone.
The Pope, who turns 81 next month, included a special plea for peace in the Middle East during his twice-yearly "Urbi et Orbi" (To the city and the world) message and blessing before tens of thousands of people in a sunny St Peter's Square.
The Pope appeared tired and drawn at times during the two-hour ceremony. His voice alternated from trembling and cracking at times to firm and clear at others.
He lost his balance for a second while walking down steps at the start of the ceremony and had to be supported by aides.
Celebrating the 23rd Easter season of his history-making pontificate and the first of the Third Millennium, the Pontiff wove his message between the religious and the worldly.
"Men and women of the Third Millennium, the Easter gift of light that scatters the darkness of fear and sadness is meant for everyone," he said, reading his message from the outside steps of St Peter's Basilica after saying mass.
"All are offered the gift of the peace of the Risen Christ, who breaks the chains of violence and hatred," he said in the message, which was televised live to 47 countries."
"Rediscover today with joy and wonder that the world is no longer a slave to the inevitable. This world of ours can change: Peace is possible even where for too long there has been fighting and death, as in the Holy Land and Jerusalem," he said.
The Pope said peace was now also possible in the Balkans, a region he said which was "no longer condemned to a worrying uncertainty."
He also urged Africa, a continent which he said was "tormented by conflicts constantly threatening," to "raise your head confidently."
With the help of God, Asia, which he called the cradle of age-old spiritual traditions, "can win the challenge of tolerance and solidarity."
Trembling from what is believed to be the effects of Parkinson's Disease, he voiced the hope that Latin America could find the courage needed for development that respects everyone.
"Men and women of every continent, draw from his tomb, empty now forever, the strength needed to defeat the powers of evil and death, and to place all research and all technical and social progress at the service of a better future for all," he said.