Millions of Christians have been celebrating Easter - the holiest day in their calendar - during which they believe Jesus Christ was resurrected three days after being crucified.

Thousands converged on St Peter's square at the Vatican to see Pope Benedict XVI.

One of the Swiss guards saluted the Pope as he arrived.

The Pope blessed the crucifix during his traditional Easter Mass - before delivering his message, lamenting continued violence in the world, singling out Iraq.

In Baghdad, members of Iraq's dwindling Christian minority donned their Sunday best venturing out full of fear and trepidation.

In Germany men in formal attire rode on decorated horses in a procession.

In Beijing, Mass was attended by members of the state-sanctioned Chinese Patriotic Church.

Near the Belarus capital, Minsk, believers had to brave the cold and the snow.

In the UK, Queen Elizabeth II and her husband attended St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Cuban worshippers sang and prayed during Easter Mass in the town of Regla, near Havana.

In an apparent reminder of politics - here in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, Easter cakes awaited protesters demonstrating against the country's president.

This little girl in Lyon, France, found her Easter eggs - a symbol of life renewed.