Pope Benedict XVI has celebrated Easter Sunday Mass on the flower-adorned steps of St Peter's Basilica. Thousands of pilgrims and tourists packed into St Peter's Square to join in the service and later receive his blessing.
In his homily the Pope spoke of people's suffering in wars and natural disasters throughout the world.
He focused on trouble spots on all five continents saying how much suffering and how many wounds there were in the world. Pope Benedict called for world peace and lamented the continual slaughter in Iraq and the growing unrest in Afghanistan.
"Nothing positive comes from Iraq, torn apart by continual slaughter as the civil population flees," he said. He also condemned terrorism and the use of religion to justify a "thousand faces of violence"..
Choir boys voices rang across the square as the head of the Roman Catholic Church led the faithful in the celebration of Christianity's most important feast day.
Wearing gold-coloured vestments, the pope gripped a slender, silver crucifix as clerics sprinkled incense across the steps.
The altar area was ablaze with colour - red tulips, orange tiger lilies and yellow broom plants were among the flowers delivered from the Netherlands.
The Vatican said that TV outlets in 67 countries had arranged satellite links for the Easter service. After the celebrations, Pope Benedict heads to the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, in the Alban Hills south of Rome, for a few days of rest.
When he returns to Rome, Benedict will have two more important dates on his calendar - his 80th birthday on April 16th, and the second anniversary of his election as pope three days later.
Last night the Pope told a congregation gathered for the Easter vigil telling them not to fear evil or death. In his homily the Pope said the resurrection of Christ lent hope to humanity - even in its darkest moments.
"In the resurrection of Jesus, love has been shown to be stronger than death, stronger than evil," the Pope said.
He prayed that God would "descend into the darkness and abyss of our modern age, and take by the hand those who await (God). Bring them to the light".
The Pontiff, who turns 80 this month, also baptised eight new members of the Church, six adult converts and two children. They were from China, Cuba, Cameroon, Japan and Italy.