In pictures: Pope Francis celebrates Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square (17pics)

 Pope Francis prepares to lead his first Easter Sunday celebrations with tens of thousands of people expected in St Peter's Square for a mass marking the holiest day in the Christian calendar.

 Pope Francis delivers his first 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica during Easter Mass in Vatican City

 The ceremony was followed with a special Urbi et Orbi blessing for Rome and the world that the pope delivered from the same balcony where he made his first public appearance after his election earlier this month

 Pope Francis greets the faithful prior to his first 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica during Easter Mass in Vatican City

 Pope Francis hugs a child after celebrating his first Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican

A priest gives Holy Communion to the faithful as Pope Francis delivers Mass prior to his first 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City

 Pope Francis celebrates the Eucharist during the Easter celebrations in St Peter's square at the Vatican

 Pope Francis leads an open-air easter Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican

 People in the crowd wave Argentinian flags in St Peter's square before the Easter celebrations at the Vatican

 A member of the faithful holds a flag which reads, Long live Francis, before the start of the Easter mass led by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican

 People in the crowd with Argentinian flags in St Peter's square before the Easter celebrations at the Vatican

 Swiss guards stand to attention before the start of the Easter mass led by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican

 Pope Francis celebrates the Easter mass at the Vatican

 Pope Francis leads the Easter celebrations in St Peter's Square at the Vatican

 Pope Francis celebrates Easter Mass and delivers the Urbi et Orbi blessing in St. Peter's Square.

 Pope Francis prior to delivering his first 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica during Easter Mass in Vatican City, Vatican

Swiss guards stand to attention before the start of the Easter mass led by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican