Faithful celebrate Easter...Kenyan Christians somber after school attack...Israel critical of Iran deal

Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

UNDATED (AP) — Christians have flocked to the Holy Land for Easter celebrations. The cavernous Holy Sepulcher church in Jerusalem was packed with worshippers on Sunday. The site is where Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected. Easter commemorates the day followers believe Jesus was resurrected in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. A Mass is expected later in Bethlehem's Nativity Church, built atop the site where Christians believe Jesus was born.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Rain fell on St. Peter's Square in the Vatican but tens of thousands of faithful just put on rain slickers and raised umbrellas to join Pope Francis for Easter Sunday Mass. Later, during his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" Easter message Francis on Sunday praised the framework nuclear agreement with Iran, while expressing deep worry about bloodshed in Libya, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Nigeria and elsewhere in Africa. Overall he delivered a message of cautious hope.

GARISSA, Kenya (AP) — It was a more somber Easter in a Kenyan town where Islamic extremists killed 148 people in an attack on a school. Grieving Christians prayed, sang and clapped hands at a Catholic church in Garissa while security forces patrolled the perimeter. Christians are fearful following the attack during which al-Shabab Islamic extremists singled out Christians.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel appears to be gearing up for a long hard lobbying effort against the nuclear framework deal between Iran and world powers. An official Israeli analysis obtained by The Associated Press lists a number of shortcomings. The analysis claims the system of inspections of Iranian nuclear sites is not as thorough as proclaimed. It also says the agreement is vague about what happens to Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium, a key ingredient in producing nuclear bombs.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA basketball championship matchup is set. Wisconsin sent the mighty Kentucky Wildcats home, handing them their first defeat, 71-64. Duke had an easier time with Michigan State, winning 81-61.