Easter around the world

The Pope addressed the crisis in Syria in his Easter Sunday sermon, asking for 'reconciliation' as recommended by the international community.

Pope Benedict XVI conducts the Easter ceremony at the Vatican. Thousands have made pilgrimages to be there for this holy day for the Christian faith.

Pilgrims reflect on times of recession as they make their way to the St. Peter's Square for Easter Mass and to hear the Pope's Urbi et Orbi message.

Pope Benedict XVI will lead Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square in Rome where thousands of worshippers have gathered.

Last night, he led the Easter vigil in which he spoke about mankind "groping in the darkness, unable to distinguish good from evil".

He carried a single candle representing Christ's resurrection.

The Archbishop of Canterbury will deliver his last Easter sermon as leader of the Church of England later today.

Dr Rowan Williams, who will resign as Archbishop of Canterbury at the end of the year to take up a post at Cambridge University.

The colonial Mexican city of Taxco performed its traditional and highly devotional Processions of the Flagellants and the Crucified to commemorate Holy Thursday.

The procession of flagellants represents the high point of the city's week-long Easter celebrations.

The faithful show their piety by walking with packs of thorny branches on their shoulders and by flagellating themselves in the back with whips with sharp flails.

Many of the participants say the procession is not about physical pain, but is about spirituality and devotion to God.