Pope Francis has delivered his first Easter Sunday Mass as pontiff in St Peter’s Square today, with tens of thousands of pilgrims, tourists and locals travelling to the Vatican to hear his address.
The Pope used his Easter message to call for peace in the world, singling out Africa, Asia, the Middle East and ‘above all dear Syria’.
‘Christ is our peace, and through him we implore peace for all the world,’ he told the huge crowd.
Pope Francis, who succeed Benedict XVI earlier this month when he became the first Pope in 700 years to resign, began his address with a simple: ‘Happy Easter,’ before adding: ‘Christ has risen. What a joy it is for me to announce this message… I would like it to go out to every house and every family, especially where the suffering is greatest, in hospitals, in prisons.’
Swiss guards stand at attention before the start of the Easter mass led by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican March 31, 2013. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini Pope Francis celebrates the Easter mass on March 31, 2013 at the Vatican. Pope Francis prepared to lead his first Easter Sunday celebrations with tens of thousands of people expected in St Peter's Square for a mass marking the holiest day in the Christian calendar. ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis (C) leads the Easter celebrations on St Peter's square on March 31, 2013 at the Vatican. Easter Sunday celebrates the Christian belief in Jesus's death and resurrection and is marked around the world, often with a variety of not strictly religious local traditions like painted eggs or Easter Bunnies. VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis, holding the pastoral staff, celebrates the Easter mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 31, 2013. "Our daily problems and worries can wrap us up in ourselves, in sadness and bitterness, and that is where death is," he said. "Let the risen Jesus enter your life, welcome him as a friend, with trust: he is life!" said Pope Francis during the Easter vigil.(AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Pope Francis, holding the pastoral staff, prays in front of the icon of Jesus as he celebrates the Easter mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 31, 2013. Pope Francis is celebrating his first Easter Sunday Mass as pontiff in St. Peter's Square, which is packed by joyous pilgrims, tourists and Romans. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Pope Francis arrives to lead a open-air easter Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 31, 2013. Pope Francis is celebrating his first Easter Sunday Mass as pontiff in St. Peter's Square, which is packed by joyous pilgrims, tourists and Romans. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) People crowd St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, on occasion of the celebration of the Easter mass Sunday, March 31, 2013. Pope Francis is celebrating his first Easter Sunday Mass as pontiff in St. Peter's Square, which is packed by joyous pilgrims, tourists and Romans. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Pope Francis leads the Easter mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 31, 2013. Pope Francis is celebrating his first Easter Sunday Mass as pontiff in St. Peter's Square, which is packed by joyous pilgrims, tourists and Romans. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) A general view shows the Easter celebrations on St Peter's square on March 31, 2013 at the Vatican. Easter Sunday celebrates the Christian belief in Jesus's death and resurrection and is marked around the world, often with a variety of not strictly religious local traditions like painted eggs or Easter Bunnies. VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis leads the Easter mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 31, 2013. Pope Francis is celebrating his first Easter Sunday Mass as pontiff in St. Peter's Square, which is packed by joyous pilgrims, tourists and Romans. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) A general view shows the Easter celebrations on St Peter's square on March 31, 2013 at the Vatican. Easter Sunday celebrates the Christian belief in Jesus's death and resurrection and is marked around the world, often with a variety of not strictly religious local traditions like painted eggs or Easter Bunnies. PINTO,VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis waves as he leaves at the end of the Easter mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican March 31, 2013. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini Pope Francis waves to faithful after celebrating the Easter mass on March 31, 2013 at the Vatican. The mass will be followed by a special "Urbi et Orbi" blessing for Rome and the world that the pope will deliver from the same balcony where he made his first public appearance after his election this month. PIZZOLI,ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty ImagesFor more News galleries click here
