Easter, the most significant festival in the Christian calendar, is being commemorated around the world with various ceremonies. In St Peter’s square, thousands of worshippers gathered to listen to Pope Francis lead Easter Sunday Mass on April 4th, remembering Jesus’ resurrection on this day.
However, concerns about his health arose when Pope Francis withdrew from a ceremony on short notice. Nevertheless, he participated in a two-hour vigil at the Vatican on Saturday, delivering a long homily and performing several baptisms. This vigil took place before Easter celebrations took place globally.
Worshippers in the Philippines gathered for a traditional procession while in Nairobi’s Kiberia district, people lit candles together. In Manila, children dressed as angels and prayed while in Sri Lanka, a Catholic priest administered Holy communions to Christian devotees at St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya. European capitals also held Easter services with Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa leading Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City and worshippers kissing a cross during an Easter vigil service at the Grand Immaculate Church in Al-Hamdaniya, Iraq.
Overall, Easter Sunday is observed by 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide who celebrate this holiday with great enthusiasm and faithfulness to their religious beliefs.
