Pope's first Easter Celebration

Pope Benedict XVI has celebrated the first Mass of Easter Sunday, the main Christian festival, by candle light in St Peter's Basilica.

The ceremony at the Vatican began in darkness as the Pope lit a single candle marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Thousands of pilgrims then lit individual candles and the huge basilica was flooded with light.

In his homily, Benedict explained the symbolism of light as an image of God.