Worshippers around the world have gathered to celebrate Easter Sunday – as Pope Francis delivers mass to tens of thousands in St Peter’s Square.
The Pope presided over the traditional Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter in a packed Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican overnight.
The celebration started inside at the entrance of the Basilica, with the evocative rite of the blessing of fire followed by the candlelight procession.
Today, members of the Swiss Guard have arrived as Pope Francis is expected to celebrate the Easter Sunday mass in St Peter’s Square and the bi-annual ‘Urbi et Orbi’ – his papal address and apostolic blessing.
In the UK, meanwhile, King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla are expected to be joined by other senior royals to mark the occasion at Windsor Castle later today – the first Easter Sunday service of the monarch’s reign.
Pope Francis leads the Easter Sunday mass at St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican in front of tens of thousands
Members of the Swiss Guard arrive to attend the Easter Sunday mass at St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican
Participants attend a parade to celebrate Easter Sunday at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul this morning
A group of Nepalese Christian devotees participate in a religious gathering held to mark Easter Sunday in Kathmandu, Nepal
This weekend will mark the first Easter without the late Queen after she died aged 96 on September 8 last year 2022. It is also the second anniversary of the death of her devoted husband Prince Philip on Sunday.
Princess Anne, Prince Edward and the Duchess of Edinburgh are all expected to attend will attend the service at St George’s Chapel, while the Princess of Wales has also reportedly organised an Easter egg hunt for the royal children.
It comes as millions of worshippers have gathered to hold prayers and religious gatherings across the world.
Thousands of Nepalese Christian devotees have also participated in a religious gathering held in the capital of Kathmandu.
Archbishop Peter Comensoli presided over an Easter Sunday Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne, Australia, while elsewhere in the country children were seen hunting for Easter eggs
Catholic worshippers attended mass at the St. Anthony’s Church in Colombo, Sri Lanka, this morning, while traditional events have also taken place in Las Pinas City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Pope Francis pictured presiding over the Easter Vigil Mass in a packed St. Peter’s Basilica overnight
Canon Edward Probert, Canon Chancellor of Salisbury Cathedral processes the Paschal Candle into the cathedral
Archbishop Peter Comensoli presides over an Easter Sunday Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, in Melbourne
Participants hold balloons during a parade to celebrate Easter at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul
Bishop of Salisbury, The Right Reverend Stephen Lake blesses the garden after the service in Salisbury Cathedral
Members of Christianity followers dance in choir as they participate in mass prayer event on the occassion of Easter Sunday in capital Kathmandu
Christian devotees pray during an Easter Sunday service at a church in Chennai, India, this morning
A group of Nepalese Christian devotees participate in a religious gathering held to mark Easter Sunday in Kathmandu
A Sri Lankan Catholic receives Sacramental bread during the Easter Sunday mass at the St. Anthony’s Church in Colombo
Worshippers attend an Easter mass at the Grand Immaculate Church in Al-Hamdaniya, Iraq, today
In his Easter message, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said today: ‘Easter Sunday gives us a chance to reflect on the considerable contribution Christian communities make to our national life – offering support and a sense of belonging to so many across the country.
‘Christianity and its values of tolerance, compassion and charity are embedded in our history and national fabric. Its values are British values.
‘I would like to wish all those celebrating today a very happy Easter.’
The Archbishop of Canterbury is expected to lead the Easter Eucharist this morning.
He will use his Easter sermons to warn that ‘those who oppress and subjugate others will face divine justice’.
Earlier, Canon Edward Probert, Canon Chancellor of Salisbury Cathedral, led the lighting of the Paschal Candle ceremony.
Cardinals Angelo Comastri and Giovanni Lajolo arrive in St. Peter’s Square at The Vatican where Pope Francis will celebrate the Easter Sunday mass
A Swiss Guard stands before St. Peter’s basilica prior to the Pope’s Easter Sunday mass
Christian devotees participate in a 2023 Korea Easter Parade in Seoul amid celebrations around the world
The Easter Liturgy and lighting of the Paschal candle is held every year at Easter, and is used throughout the Paschal season and then throughout the year on special occasions, such as baptisms and funerals.
The lighting of the Paschal candle from the new fire, in the half-light early on Easter morning, represents resurrection and new life.
The single candle is carried into the Cathedral and the proclamation of the Light of Christ fills the whole space. The light is then spread round the Cathedral with candles held by all the baptised.
Right Reverend Stephen Lake was seen blessing the garden following the service.
