Party atmosphere in St Peter's Square as pope begins Easter mass

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday began celebrating Easter mass as tens of thousands of pilgrims filled St Peter's Square in a festive mood on the holiest day of the Christian calendar.

The pope, whose gold vestments and mitre sparkled in the sun, led a procession of cardinals and bishops across the square decked out in thousands of springtime flowers to take his place on the papal throne before St Peter's Basilica as Swiss Guards stood at attention.

A fanfare accompanying the procession added to the joyous atmosphere.

Easter celebrates the Resurrection of Christ after his crucifixion on Good Friday. This year all Christians, regardless of the calendar they follow, are celebrating Easter on the same day.

After the mass, the leader of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics was to deliver the traditional "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world) blessing, an occasion to speak out about conflicts and ills besetting the planet.

Sixty-seven television stations around the world will carry the address live.

Agence France-Presse