Christians gather at Rome's ancient forum ahead of Good Friday's Stations of the Cross ceremony, commemorating the crucifixion of Christ.

Earlier Pope Benedict XVI marked his first Easter at the Vatican by leading prayers at St Peter's Basilica.

Christians in Jerusalem touch a cross carried by a pilgrim along the route believed to have been taken by Jesus Christ.

Christians in the Philippines are nailed to crosses in an imitation crucifixion, which has become a tourist attraction.

Controversial flagellation rituals also take place - a practice disapproved of by the Catholic church in the Philippines.

Iraq's small Christian communities gather to celebrate Good Friday. In Baghdad, Catholics lit candles to mark the occasion.

About 1,000 worshippers take part in an Easter procession in Indonesia, which has the world's largest Muslim population.

London stages its traditional service in Westminster Cathedral, with a cross paraded through the streets beforehand.

In Spain, hundreds of processions are held around the clock. Here, a statue of the Virgin Mary is paraded through Seville.

A service is held at Beijing's officially-sanctioned Nantang Cathedral. Religious activities in China are strictly controlled.