Pope Benedict XVI delivers his "Urbi et Orbi" message and blessing from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the end of the Easter Mass on Sunday in Vatican City.
Holy Week around the world —
Pope Benedict XVI delivers his "Urbi et Orbi" message and blessing from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the end of the Easter Mass on Sunday in Vatican City.
Women pray and sing at an Easter Sunday service at an outdoor church in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Holy Week around the world —
Women pray and sing at an Easter Sunday service at an outdoor church in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Queen Elizabeth II receives flowers from young people while her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, daughter-in-law, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor look on as they leave Saint George's Chapel in Windsor Castle after attending the Easter service.
Holy Week around the world —
Queen Elizabeth II receives flowers from young people while her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, daughter-in-law, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor look on as they leave Saint George's Chapel in Windsor Castle after attending the Easter service.
Easter riders parade on horseback on Sunday in Wittichenau, Germany.
Holy Week around the world —
Easter riders parade on horseback on Sunday in Wittichenau, Germany.
A Chinese Catholic clergyman lights a flame for candles during an Easter service at the historic South Cathedral in Beijing on Saturday, April 7.
Holy Week around the world —
A Chinese Catholic clergyman lights a flame for candles during an Easter service at the historic South Cathedral in Beijing on Saturday, April 7.
Members of the Spanish Legion carry a statue of "Christ of the Good Death" to Santo Domingo de Guzman Church in Malaga, Spain, during a Holy Week procession.
Holy Week around the world —
Members of the Spanish Legion carry a statue of "Christ of the Good Death" to Santo Domingo de Guzman Church in Malaga, Spain, during a Holy Week procession.
Pope Benedict XVI leads the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome on April 5.
Holy Week around the world —
Pope Benedict XVI leads the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome on April 5.
Roman Catholic clergymen hold candles as they circle the Stone of Anointing during the Holy Thursday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City.
Holy Week around the world —
Roman Catholic clergymen hold candles as they circle the Stone of Anointing during the Holy Thursday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City.
Children take part in a procession of the Padre Jesus Nazareno brotherhood during Holy Week on Tenerife, one of Spain's Canary Islands.
Holy Week around the world —
Children take part in a procession of the Padre Jesus Nazareno brotherhood during Holy Week on Tenerife, one of Spain's Canary Islands.
A penitent of the Perdon brotherhood walks during a Holy Week procession in Cordoba, Spain.
Holy Week around the world —
A penitent of the Perdon brotherhood walks during a Holy Week procession in Cordoba, Spain.
Penitents of the Cofradia del Silencio (Brotherhood of Silence) wait for the start of their Holy Week procession shortly before it was canceled because of rain in Zamora, Spain. Easter week is traditionally celebrated with processions in most Spanish towns.
Holy Week around the world —
Penitents of the Cofradia del Silencio (Brotherhood of Silence) wait for the start of their Holy Week procession shortly before it was canceled because of rain in Zamora, Spain. Easter week is traditionally celebrated with processions in most Spanish towns.
A statue of "the affliction" is carried during a Holy Wednesday procession in Cali, Valle del Cauca department, Colombia.
Holy Week around the world —
A statue of "the affliction" is carried during a Holy Wednesday procession in Cali, Valle del Cauca department, Colombia.
A penitent lies on the ground on the eve of the Good Friday re-enactments of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in San Fernando City, north of Manila, Philippines. Despite the church's advice to shun the practice, devout Filipinos have themselves nailed to crosses as Asia's bastion of Catholicism marks Good Friday.
Holy Week around the world —
A penitent lies on the ground on the eve of the Good Friday re-enactments of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in San Fernando City, north of Manila, Philippines. Despite the church's advice to shun the practice, devout Filipinos have themselves nailed to crosses as Asia's bastion of Catholicism marks Good Friday.
Penitents flagellate themselves as part of a Lenten observance in Manila.
Holy Week around the world —
Penitents flagellate themselves as part of a Lenten observance in Manila.
Penitents walk up Calle Balborraz during the Holy Week procession of the Cofradia de la Virgen de la Esperanza (Brotherhood of Our Lady of Hope) in Zamora, Spain.
Holy Week around the world —
Penitents walk up Calle Balborraz during the Holy Week procession of the Cofradia de la Virgen de la Esperanza (Brotherhood of Our Lady of Hope) in Zamora, Spain.
Parishioners wash each others' feet during the Maundy Thursday Mass celebrating the Last Supper of Jesus and his disciples at the National Cathedral in Washington on Thursday.
Holy Week around the world —
Parishioners wash each others' feet during the Maundy Thursday Mass celebrating the Last Supper of Jesus and his disciples at the National Cathedral in Washington on Thursday.
Christian Arab worshipers carry a large wooden cross along the Via Dolorosa, or the Way of Suffering, as they enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, an ancient, sprawling shrine that Orthodox and Catholic Christians believe was built on the original site of the crucifixion.
Holy Week around the world —
Christian Arab worshipers carry a large wooden cross along the Via Dolorosa, or the Way of Suffering, as they enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, an ancient, sprawling shrine that Orthodox and Catholic Christians believe was built on the original site of the crucifixion.
Penitents join a Good Friday procession in Sorrento, Italy.
Holy Week around the world —
Penitents join a Good Friday procession in Sorrento, Italy.
Penitents attend a Good Friday procession in Sorrento.
Holy Week around the world —
Penitents attend a Good Friday procession in Sorrento.
A woman and child walk under the Macarena Arch in Sevilla, Spain.
Holy Week around the world —
A woman and child walk under the Macarena Arch in Sevilla, Spain.
Empalaos, or "impaled ones," walk the Via Crucis, or "the way of the cross," marking the Stations of the Cross while bound by rope to a crucifix. The walk is an act of penance and honors a promise made to the Empalaos Brotherhood and the Christ of Vera Cruz in the town of Valverde de la Vera, Spain.
Holy Week around the world —
Empalaos, or "impaled ones," walk the Via Crucis, or "the way of the cross," marking the Stations of the Cross while bound by rope to a crucifix. The walk is an act of penance and honors a promise made to the Empalaos Brotherhood and the Christ of Vera Cruz in the town of Valverde de la Vera, Spain.
A penitent of the Jesus Nazareno de Medinaceli brotherhood drags chains along the ground during the Holy Week procession Friday in Madrid, Spain. Many regions throughout Spain celebrate Easter week with religious processions.
Holy Week around the world —
A penitent of the Jesus Nazareno de Medinaceli brotherhood drags chains along the ground during the Holy Week procession Friday in Madrid, Spain. Many regions throughout Spain celebrate Easter week with religious processions.
The Nuestra Senora de los Dolores Coronada, of the Dolores brotherhood, heads down a street during a Holy Week procession Friday in Cordoba, Spain.
Holy Week around the world —
The Nuestra Senora de los Dolores Coronada, of the Dolores brotherhood, heads down a street during a Holy Week procession Friday in Cordoba, Spain.
From a window, a child watches penitents of the Dolores brotherhood before a procession Friday during Holy Week.
Holy Week around the world —
From a window, a child watches penitents of the Dolores brotherhood before a procession Friday during Holy Week.
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama host a Passover Seder dinner for family, friends and staff in the Old Family Dining Room at the White House on Friday.
Holy Week around the world —
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama host a Passover Seder dinner for family, friends and staff in the Old Family Dining Room at the White House on Friday.
Archbishop of York John Sentamu, left, baptizes a local churchgoer during an Easter ceremony Saturday in York, England. The baptism of adults by total immersion is a ritual signifying the death of a believer's old life and a rebirth in Christ. Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus three days after his execution on the cross.
Holy Week around the world —
Archbishop of York John Sentamu, left, baptizes a local churchgoer during an Easter ceremony Saturday in York, England. The baptism of adults by total immersion is a ritual signifying the death of a believer's old life and a rebirth in Christ. Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus three days after his execution on the cross.
Pope Benedict XVI holds a candle during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday at St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
Holy Week around the world —
Pope Benedict XVI holds a candle during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday at St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
Chinese Catholics pray as they attend an Easter service at the historic South Cathedral in Beijing on Saturday.
Holy Week around the world —
Chinese Catholics pray as they attend an Easter service at the historic South Cathedral in Beijing on Saturday.