The Pope gives Easter warning

The Pope looked tired throughout the service

In his Easter message to the world, Pope John Paul II has expressed concern about what he called "dangerous political decisions" about the Middle East and their impact on peace.

Pope John Paul II celebrated Easter Sunday Mass before about 150,000 people in a wind-whipped St Peter's Square in Rome.

St Peter's Square was packed with the faithful

The Pope, who is 78 in May and has been dogged by health problems, looked weary as he read his traditional message from the steps of St Peter's Basilica.

John Paul surprised some observers by making no specific mention in his speech to the Northern Ireland peace agreement reached on Good Friday.

But he prayed that the peace that is associated with Easter be an inspiration to "the leaders of the nations and to every person of good will, especially in the Middle East and particularly in Jerusalem, where peace is put at risk by dangerous political decisions."

Pilgrims came from around the world to celebrate Easter with the Pope

"May it give fresh courage to those who have believed and still believe in dialogue as the way to settle national and international tensions," the Pope added.

The Pontiff also lamented "fraticidal strife and slaughter which reopened the wounds of ethnic rivalries, and, in different parts of every continent, especially in Africa and in Europe, are sowing in the earth the seed of death and conflicts for a sad tomorrow."

The Pope then wished the crowd a happy Easter in 58 languages, touching off cheers from groups of pilgrims and tourists when they heard their own language.

The Mass was hampered by poor weather

Toward the end of the 90-minute service, rain forced many in the crowd to open umbrellas as John Paul was sheltered by a canopy.

The late-morning Mass was the highlight of a gruelling series of Holy Week services for the Pope.

Only 11 hours earlier, John Paul finished a two-hour vigil service. The Pope's strength was also tested when he joined in a Good Friday procession near the Colosseum in Rome under a driving rain.