Christians marking Easter Sunday

Christians from around the world are taking part in services to mark a very important day for them - Easter Sunday.

For Christian believers, it marks the resurrection of Jesus, three days after his death by crucifixion.

Head of the Catholic church Pope Benedict XVI was celebrating Easter Mass in St Peter's Square in Rome. It was also his 79th birthday.

Last Easter, there was another Pope, John Paul II, but he died shortly afterwards aged 84.

Click here to see pictures of Easter celebrations across the world

Thousands of pilgrims have travelled to Italy to worship with the Pope. In the UK, several Christians were baptised in an open-air pool at St Michael-le-Belfrey church in York.

They were cheered on by hundreds of onlookers as they went through the ceremony, which involves going under water.

Many worshippers attended Canterbury Cathedral in Kent, where the Archbishop Of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, made his Easter Sunday sermon.

The Queen and other members of the Royal Family were attending an Easter Sunday service at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in Berkshire.