(16 Apr 06 - RV) Pope Benedict XVIpresided over his first Easter morning Mass and
presented his first Paschal Urbi et Orbi message since his election last April. On
this, the most Holy Day in the Church's Calendar, the Holy Father focussed on the
hope the Easter message brings to our modern world. In his message, the Pope
urged negotiated solutions to nuclear crises in a clear reference to worries over
Iran, and prayed that Palestinians would have their own state alongside that of Israel.
He turned the focus of his concern to Africa and Latin America also. But beyond
the suffering, there is the resurrection and the day was a double celebration as it
coincides with Pope Benedict's 79th birthday. Emer McCarthy and Catherine Smibert
have more...