To the City and the World this Easter

It was a radiant Easter Sunday at the Vatican today. An estimated 100 thousand pilgrims filled St Peter’s square, which was adorned with golden, white and green Easter flowers, to participate in the festive open air mass. Hundreds more, blocked traffic on the surrounding streets as they descended on the Vatican basilica to hear Pope Benedict XVI deliver his Urbi et Orbi address to the city and the world. At precisely midday, the crimson curtains of St peter’s central loggia parted and the holy father stepped onto the balcony for his Easter message, the culmination of holy week ceremonies. Charles Collins was there and has this report...