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SALT LAKE CITY — Millions of Christians throughout the world celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ today. Easter services included crowds of thousands or gatherings of a few hundred.
Pope Francis delivered his first Easter message to a huge crowd in Saint Peter's Square. The new pontiff once again greeted people from an open-top Jeep, stopping to kiss a boy with disabilities and a baby in the crowd. His homily focused on peace around the world.
"Peace for the Middle East and particularly between Israelis and Palestinians who struggle to find the road of agreement," Pope Francis said.
In Utah, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir performed a special Easter program with traditional hymns and a message of resurrection.
"On that first Easter morning, long ago the promise of new hope and everlasting life filled an empty tomb," said narrator Lloyd Newell. "He is not here, for he is risen."
The choir and congregation at the Cathedral of the Madeleine joined their voices in praise of the risen Lord.
Many are very encouraged by the humility of Pope Francis.
"You feel like you have a better connection or a closer connection to the new pope," said parishioner Janice Paluzzi "I think right now, he's kind of what the world needs."
Joyous song greeted this Easter morning. The choir and congregation at Calvary Baptist Church rocked to the rhythm while giving thanks for Jesus Christ.
"The meaning of Easter to me, it is all about the resurrection, the getting up day of Jesus the Christ, the one who sacrificed his life, that you and I might have a right to the tree of life," said Gregory Lang a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
In All Saints Episcopal Church came the sound of drums from the Sudan. Hundreds of former refugees, called "the lost boys," celebrated this Easter with their Bishop.
"This for me is just a great joy because to worship with these people and everything they've been through is just inspiring, just absolutely inspires," said The Rt. Rev. Scott Hayashi, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah.
Members of 10 tribes came together, many now U.S. citizens.
"I cannot even say a word how I can be able to describe it but it's a joyful and a remarkable Easter for us as the Sudanese in general," said lay minister Gabriel Garang Atem.
