**Pope Benedict XVI is presiding over Good Friday prayers in St Peter’s Basilica, Rome.**He is later due to take part in the Way of the Cross procession at Rome’s Colosseum commemorating Christ’s crucifixion.
Since 2008, the 82-year-old pontiff has not completed the walk, taking up the wooden cross only at the very end.
Thousands of pilgrims and tourists from all over the world have arrived in Rome for the observances.
Easter rituals are also being marked by Christians in countries around the world.
In Jerusalem, thousands of pilgrims thronged the narrow alleyways of the Old City to pray along the route believed to be that of Christ going to his crucifixion.
The procession ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built on the site where Christians believe Christ was crucified and buried.
The Easter celebrations come as the Roman Catholic Church is embroiled in fresh allegations of child sex abuse by priests, most recently in Germany.
Pilgrim Anne Rossier, who travelled to Rome from Boston, Massachusetts, said the moment was “difficult” and that “lots of people have been turned against the church” but added: "We could not have been in a better place right now for Easter."This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.