K.M. Chaudary / AP

Pakistani Christians hold candles during an Easter vigil Mass in a church in Lahore, Pakistan, April 7.

As Christians took part in celebrations in Pakistan and other parts of the world, Pope Benedict XVI presided over services at the Vatican:

Pope Benedict, leading the world's Catholics into Easter, said on Saturday that technological progress, in the absence of awareness of God and moral values, is a threat to the world.

Benedict presided at a solemn Easter vigil Mass in St Peter's Basilica to usher the 1.2 billion-member church into the most important day of its liturgical calendar

-- Reported by msnbc.com news services

Slideshow: Easter celebrations

Around the world, Christians celebrate the holiest week of the year.

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