Pope Francis yesterday led Easter rites commemorating what Christians believe was Jesus' resurrection from the dead and urged people to rediscover direction in their lives.

Marking the second Easter season of his pontificate, the Argentine pope said Mass before some 10,000 people in St Peter's Basilica, the largest church in Christendom.

The faithful held lit candles as the pope walked up the main aisle.

During last night's service he presided at an Easter vigil tradition by baptising 10 people, including three Italian boys and eight adults aged between 34 and 58 from Italy Belarus, Senegal, Lebanon, France and Vietnam.

In his homily, the leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholic Pope Francis recounted the Biblical story of how the faith of the apostles had been shaken after Jesus' death but confirmed by the women who found Jesus' tomb empty after his resurrection.

Today, he will conduct an Easter Sunday Mass in St Peter's Square and deliver his twice yearly "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) blessing and message.

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