[NYer]

AFP - Sat Apr 15, 6:14 PM ET

Nuns hold candles as pope Pope Benedict XVI arrives to celebrate the Easter vigil mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.(AFP/Alberto Pizzoli)

Reuters - Sat Apr 15, 6:53 PM ET

Pope Benedict XVI lights a candle as he leads the celebration of the Easter Vigil service at Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican April 16, 2006. REUTERS/Danilo Schiavella/Pool

[livius]

This was beautiful. I watched the whole thing and I was completely impressed from start to finish. No theatrics, just the Easter liturgy (including the entire Exsultet). The Pope's sermon was excellent, a real connection between baptism and the Resurrection. There was nothing vague or gnostic or New Agey about it. It was precise and real.

Felices Pascuas a todos, by the way!

[NYer]

The bells of St. Peter's tolled across Rome as midnight approached to herald in Easter

This was a Midnight Mass! That's how I recall it as a child. How many parishes still celebrate the Vigil at Midnight? My daughter and I will be attending Midnight Mass at St. Ann's this evening. He is Risen! Truly Risen!

Pope Benedict XVI baptises two Japanese pilgrims during the celebration of the Easter Vigil service at Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican April 15, 2006.

Reuters - Sat Apr 15, 6:42 PM ET A woman from Cameroon looks on after she was baptised by Pope Benedict XVI during the celebration of the Easter Vigil service in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 15, 2006. REUTERS/Tony Gentile

The newly baptized neophytes were given white 'garments' to wear - the women wore white veils while the men wore white shawls.

[Kolokotronis]

Al Masiah Qaam! Haqqan Qaam!