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Pope opens Easter with eight baptisms

He marks the church's most important day.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published April 8, 2007

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI baptized eight people during a candlelit Easter Vigil Mass in St. Peter's Basilica early today, opening the most important event of the Christian church calendar.

Pope Benedict started the Mass by blessing a large white candle and carrying it down the main aisle of the darkened basilica. Slowly, the twinkle of candlelight lit up the entire basilica as the faithful shared the lone flame.

The church considers the period between Good Friday, which commemorates Jesus' crucifixion, and Easter Sunday, which marks his resurrection, as the most important of all vigils.

"In the resurrection of Jesus, love has been shown to be stronger than death, stronger than evil," Benedict said during his homily.

He baptized six adults and two children, part of the joyful renewal Christians associate with Easter.

"Baptism is more than a bath, a purification. It is more than becoming part of a community," Pope Benedict said. "It is a new birth. A new beginning in life."

Benedict, who turns 80 on April 16, appeared to tire by the end of Mass, which lasted more than two hours and capped a busy Holy Week. On Good Friday, Pope Benedict presided over long back-to-back public ceremonies.

Tens of thousands of faithful were expected to flock to St. Peter's Square early today for the pope's Easter Mass and later to hear his Urbi et Orbi message delivered from the basilica's central balcony overlooking the square. The message - "to the city and to the world" - is an occasion for the pope to talk about international crises, moral issues and other concerns of the church.

[Last modified April 8, 2007, 01:10:10]