After skipping Good Friday's "Way of the Cross" service due to the cold weather, Pope Francis has returned to his papal duties and is expected by 10,000 Catholics in St. Peter's Square to give the Easter mass and the traditional blessing.

He presided over the Vigil Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for a two-and-a-half-hour ceremony for 8,000 attendees on Saturday evening.

The pope also led over the mass at 10:00 a.m., pronouncing the "Urbi et Orbi" (To the City and the World) blessing at midday.

Traditionally, Pope Francis uses the occasion to review world events.