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Pope Francis called for peace in Syria and Ukraine in his Easter Sunday mass at the Vatican City.

The pontiff also said God is there for victims of trafficking, domestic abuse and migrants.

His sermon begn at 9am UK time.

The worldwide leader of Catholicism addressed thousands of worshippers who packed into St Peter's Square.

After he spoke, the Pope was driven through the crowds in an open-top car as he waved.

Security was on high alert in the Vatican due to the terror threat level across Europe and there were reports of rooftop snipers overlooking the square.

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: AFP) (Image: Getty Images Europe) (Image: AFP) (Image: AFP)

The Pope also presided over a solemn Easter vigil yesterday.

Holding a single candle, Francis processed down the centre aisle of a darkened St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on Saturday, symbolising the darkness that fell after Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday.

When he reached the altar, the basilica's floodlights turned on, symbolising the light of Christ's resurrection.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

(Image: REUTERS)

The Pope told the crowds: "In this land of pain, of tragedies, amid so many calamities, the faith in the resurrected Christ gives us a meaning, (it allows us) to look beyond."

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: REUTERS)

Sally Axworthy, the British Ambassador to the Holy See in Rome, wrote on Twitter: "Pope says God is there for victims of trafficking, domestic abuse and migrants, calls for peace in Syria, South Sudan, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine."

Saturday's late-night service came just hours after Francis presided over the evocative torch-lit Good Friday procession at Rome's Colosseum, where he repeatedly denounced the "shame" of the blood of innocent children, women and migrants spilled in the world's conflicts, shipwrecks and other tragedies.