Pope Benedict leads Easter Sunday open-air mass in Rome

Pope Benedict has taken part in the traditional Easter Sunday Mass in Rome's St Peter's Square, hours after leading the vigil mass in the basilica last night.

The square was crowded with thousands of people to hear the service, and the Urbi et Orbi message in which he called for continued efforts towards peace and stability in Syria and West Africa:

"May the risen Christ grant hope... and enable all the ethnic, cultural and religious groups in that region to work together to advance the common good and respect for human rights."