Pope presides over candlelit Easter Mass
USA Today
Enlarge By Giampiero Sposito, Reuters
Pope Benedict XVI holds a candle as he leads the Easter Vigil service in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Saturday.
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI presided over a candlelit Easter Vigil Mass in St. Peter's Basilica Saturday night, ushering in the most important event of Christian Church calendar with a lengthy service attended by thousands.
Benedict opened the Mass by blessing a large white candle, which he then carried down the main aisle of the darkened basilica. Slowly, the whole basilica began to twinkle as his lone flame was shared with candles carried by the faithful.
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The Church considers the period between Good Friday, which commemorates Jesus' crucifixion, and Easter Sunday, which marks his resurrection, as the most important of all vigils.
During the service, Benedict was expected to baptize several people — part of the joyful renewal Christians associate with Easter.
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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 9:34 PM
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