Pope delivers first Sunday noon blessing

Pope Benedict made his first Sunday noon appearance and blessing from the windows of his apartment, in a return to a much-loved weekly tradition before a cheering crowd of more than 40,000 on St Peter's Square.

The Pontiff called for an end to fighting in Togo which has been shaken by days of deadly rioting following a disputed election. More than 11,000 people are reported to have fled the tiny West African country in the past week.

"Today I feel close to the dear people of Togo who are sadly shaken by internal strife," he said. For the people of Togo, and all other people suffering from war, poverty and disease "I pray for harmony and peace", he said.

In a further sign that he intends to devote his papacy to the search for world harmony, the Pope also greeted Orthodox and Christians who celebrate Easter on Sunday, and said he hoped for unity between Orthodox and Catholic churches.

The Pope, 78, greeted Catholics from Madrid and Barcelona in Spanish and, in a reference to Labour Day, appealed for respect and dignity for working people around the world.

The Pope's first address from high above St Peter's Square came almost a month since Pope John Paul's poignant March 30 appearance at the windows of the same papal apartment, when he was too sick to speak to the crowds below.

It marked a return to normality at the Vatican after four weeks of mourning, pageantry and the entrance onto the world stage of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was the Vatican's doctrinal watchdog for more than 20 years.