Pope Francis celebrates Easter Mass for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and offers the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing from St Peter’s Basilica on Sunday.
The services will be held in a smaller circle because of the anti-coronavirus restrictions in place and as a preventative measure against infection.
Before the pandemic, Easter Mass was usually held in St Peter’s Square in front of tens of thousands of pilgrims.
With the morning Mass on Sunday at 10 am (0800 GMT), Francis is scheduled to again have to celebrate in St Peter’s Basilica, as he did last year.
Easter is the most important feast of the year for devout Christians.
The week leading up to Easter Sunday includes many services that mark the final days of Jesus’ life before his crucifixion.
Already on the previous days, only between 100 and 200 faithful were admitted to the services.
With the “Urbi et Orbi” (To the city and the world) blessing, the pope remits for the faithful the punishment for their sins if they have already redeemed them beforehand, for example in confession or through prayer.
The blessing is usually given at Easter and Christmas and when a new pope has been elected.
Pope Francis also called on the faithful at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, not to lose hope in the protracted coronavirus crisis.
“In the hour of darkness when humanity is grappling with the pandemic and other ills, Christians need to take to heart the Easter message of the angel not to be afraid,’’ the 84-year-old head of the Catholic Church said in St Peter’s Basilica.
One message of Easter, he said, is that it is always possible to start anew.
“Even from the shambles of human history, God has created something new from the rubble of our hearts,’’ the Pope said.
“God can create a work of art from the ruined remnants of our humanity, God can prepare a new history.’’
“In these dark months of the pandemic … listen to the Risen Lord as He invites us to begin anew and never lose hope,’’ the pope said.
About 200 faithful and clergy joined in the service.
Only a limited number of people were allowed to attend as a precaution to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Christians commemorate the resurrection of Jesus during the Easter weekend.
At the beginning of Saturday’s vigil service, the pontiff carried the Easter candle – the light of Christ – into the dark St Peter’s Basilica.
