‘Peace is not made with arms’ – Pope says in Easter plea

Pope Francis has made a strong appeal for an end to wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

"Peace is not made with arms," the Pope said in his traditional Easter message at the Vatican.

He called for a ceasefire in the fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza - as well as for the release of all hostages held by Hamas.

The Pope was leading ceremonies at the Vatican. Festivities have been taking place across the world to mark the most important festival in the Christian calendar - Easter.

Tens of thousands of worshippers have gathered in St Peter's square to hear Pope Francis lead Easter Sunday Mass.

Jesus was resurrected on Easter Sunday, the Bible says, days after dying on the cross on Good Friday. It is traditional for many to attend services on Saturday evening as well as on Sunday.

A day after pulling out of a ceremony at short notice, Pope Francis took part in a two-hour vigil at the Vatican on Saturday.

There had been renewed concern about his health when he did not participate in a Good Friday procession.

But, the 87-year-old pontiff read a lengthy homily and carried out a number of baptisms.

Around the world, people celebrated Easter including in the Philippines where worshippers crowded to get a glimpse of the traditional procession.

In the capital Manila, children dressed as angels and prayed.

Elsewhere, in Nairobi's Kiberia district in Kenya, worshippers young and old joined together to light candles.

Easter Sunday marks a major part of the Catholic calendar and is followed by 1.4 billion people around the globe.

At the St. Sebastian's Church in Katuwapitiya, Sri Lanka, a Catholic priest gave Holy communion to Christian devotees.

Services have also been held across many European capitals, cities and towns.