Pope Francis preached an Easter
message of hope after a grim week in Europe, calling on Christians not
to let fear and pessimism "imprison" them.
Speaking amid tight
security at the Vatican, the Pope said: "Let us not allow darkness and
fear to distract us and control our hearts."
His message followed a condemnation on Friday of the Brussels terror attacks.
Islamist violence is expected to be a prominent theme of his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" Easter message.
Many
pilgrims cancelled their planned trips to Rome in the wake of the
violence in Brussels, but St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican was packed
when Pope Francis celebrated mass on Saturday evening.
The Pontiff
entered a darkened basilica with just a single candle guiding him. As
he reached the altar, the basilica's floodlights came on to symbolise
the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Delivering his homily, Francis said: "Today is the celebration of our hope. It is so necessary today."
The lengthy vigil service also included a papal baptism for 12 adults
hailing from China, South Korea and other countries around the world.
On Sunday morning, Francis will preside over Easter Mass and offer his annual Easter blessing.
On
Friday, he denounced the "terrorist acts committed by followers of some
religions which profane the name of God and which use the holy name to
justify their unprecedented violence".
Meanwhile, Vatican officials distributed sleeping bags to 100 homeless people.
The
police presence in the streets around the Vatican has been stepped up
this year, as more pilgrims than usual are expected after Francis
declared a jubilee year for the Catholic Church, calling it a "Holy Year
of Mercy".
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