Children held up their chocolate eggs to be blessed as thousands followed the traditional Easter Sunday processions in several localities, yesterday.

Times of Malta photographer Jonathan Borg went to Senglea and Cospicua where Easter Sunday is characterised by multiple runs with the statue of the Risen Christ.

People thronged the streets where the statue passed, accompanied by brass bands and confetti showered from balconies and rooftops.

It was a festive atmosphere, albeit marred by a brief fistfight in Cospicua that saw the police intervene to stop two men from getting at each other.

On a more innocent note, children gathered in front of the statue of the Risen Christ holding up their Easter eggs and figolli for the traditional blessing by a priest. Some also posed for selfies and photos with the statue.

But the joyous atmosphere in Malta contrasted with the more solemn message delivered by Pope Francis at the Vatican.

In his Urbi et ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Orbi (To the City and the World) message to thousands of pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square, the Pope condemned last Saturday’s brutal attack on a bus convoy carrying refugees in Syria. The bomb attack killed more than 100 people.

The Pope also spoke against “old and new” forms of slavery and discrimination.

Easter marks Christianity’s biggest liturgical feast, celebrating Christ’s resurrection.

The feast of the Risen Christ contributed to an atmosphere of joy in various localities, yesterday.

Children hold up their Easter eggs for the traditional blessing by a priest.