Thousands gather for Pope's Easter message

Pope John Paul II ushered in Easter today capping a gruelling spate of Holy Week ceremonies with a Mass on the steps of St Peter’s Square before thousands of people.

He greeted the faithful from his wheeled throne as he celebrated the Roman Catholic Church’s most joyous holiday – the day, according to the Bible, that Jesus rose from the dead after crucifixion.

The 83-year-old Pope, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, appeared alert and spoke clearly at the start of the Mass, despite having struggled through a three-hour Easter Vigil that ended just a few hours earlier.

Later, he was to deliver his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” Easter message - Latin for “To the city and the world.” In years past, the pope has used the message to reflect on such problems as war, terrorism and poverty.

He was also to deliver his annual Easter greetings – this year in 62 different languages.