Holy Celebrations

Pope Benedict XVI holds a crucifix during a service in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Friday, April 2, 2010. Pilgrims and tourists flocked to the Vatican ahead of Good Friday ceremonies as the Catholic church defends itself against accusations that Pope Benedict XVI played a role in covering up sex abuse cases.

Holy Celebrations at the Vatican

Cardinals are seeing approaching one by one a crucifix, at right, during a service in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI, Friday, April 2, 2010. Pilgrims and tourists flocked to the Vatican ahead of Good Friday ceremonies as the Catholic church defends itself against accusations that Pope Benedict XVI played a role in covering up sex abuse cases.

Holy Celebrations at the Vatican

The faithful gather for a service celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Friday, April 2, 2010. Pilgrims and tourists flocked to the Vatican ahead of Good Friday ceremonies as the Catholic church defends itself against accusations that Pope Benedict XVI played a role in covering up sex abuse cases.

Holy Celebrations at the Vatican

A pilgrim catches some light as she looks up during a service in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Friday, April 2, 2010. Pilgrims and tourists flocked to the Vatican ahead of Good Friday ceremonies as the Catholic church defends itself against accusations that Pope Benedict XVI played a role in covering up sex abuse cases.

Holy Celebrations in Jerusalem

Christian pilgrims hold wooden crosses as they walk through the Via Dolorosa during a Good Friday procession in Jerusalem's Old City, Friday, April 2, 2010. Christians are marking the period of Easter.

Holy Celebrations in Jerusalem

A Christian pilgrim dressed as Jesus Christ is attached to a cross during a reenactment of the crucifixion, as visitors record the event, during a Good Friday procession in Jerusalem's Old City, in Jerusalem's Old City , Friday, April 2, 2010. Christians are marking the solemn period of Easter.

Holy Celebrations in Jerusalem

Christian Orthodox pilgrims hold crosses during Good Friday processions in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City, Friday, April 2, 2010. Christians are marking the solemn period of Easter.

Holy Celebrations in Jerusalem

A Christian Orthodox pilgrim prays before Good Friday processions in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City, Friday, April 2, 2010. Christians are marking the solemn period of Easter.

Holy Celebrations in Sydney

Actors reenact Jesus Christ's crucifixion as they walk through the streets on Good Friday in Sydney, Australia, Friday, April 2, 2010.

Holy Celebrations in Nairobi, Kenya

Joined by some hundred of Christians, the Head of the Catholic Church in Kenya, Cardinal John Njue, wearing red cap, carries the Cross through the streets of Nairobi, Kenya, Friday, April 2, 2010, during Good Friday, the Holy Week of Easter. On this day Christians commemorate the passion, or suffering, and death on the cross of the Lord, Jesus Christ, with many Christians spending the day in fasting, prayer, repentance, and meditation on the agony and suffering of Christ on the cross.

Holy Celebrations in Nairobi, Kenya

Christians offer prayers at the Holy Family Basilica, in Nairobi, Kenya, Friday, April 2, 2010, on Good Friday during the Holy Week of Easter. On this day Christians commemorate the passion, or suffering, and death on the cross of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Many Christians spend this day in fasting, prayer, repentance, and meditation on the agony and suffering of Christ on the cross.

Holy Celebrations in India

Indian Christians read from prayer books during a Good Friday Mass at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption in New Delhi, India, Friday, April 2, 2010. Christians around the world are marking the solemn period of Easter.

Holy Celebrations in India

Indian Roman Catholic worshippers leave following a Good Friday Mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in New Delhi, India, Friday, April 2, 2010. Christians around the world are marking the solemn period of Easter.

Holy Celebrations in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Indonesian men reenact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ during an Easter Holy Week procession in Yogyakarta, central Java, Indonesia, Friday, April 2, 2010.

Holy Celebrations in Mandaluyong City, Philippines

A man carrying a cross grimaces in pain as he is whipped by others during the reenactment of the sufferings of Jesus Christ along street alleys on Good Friday, April 2, 2010 in Mandaluyong City, east of Manila, Philippines. Filipino devotees endured all the pain of the reenactment even being nailed to the cross as the Catholic church frowned on the practice in this predominantly Christian country in Asia.

Holy Celebrations in Gaza City

Palestinian Christian Orthodox pilgrims attend Good Friday Mass in Gaza City, Friday, April 2, 2010. Christians are marking the solemn period of Easter.

Holy Celebrations in Gaza City

Palestinian Christian Orthodox pilgrims attend Good Friday Mass in Gaza City, Friday, April 2, 2010. Christians are marking the solemn period of Easter.

Holy Celebrations in Cuenca, Spain

Penitents surround the icon of the Jesus Nazareno de El Salvador during the Camino del Calvario, popularly known as "Turbas", during a procession in Cuenca, early Friday, April, 2, 2010. Hundreds of processions take place throughout Spain during the Easter Holy Week.

Holy Celebrations in Cuenca, Spain

A penitent participates in the Camino del Calvario procession, popularly known as "Turbas", in Cuenca, Spain, early Friday, April, 2, 2010. Hundreds of processions take place throughout Spain during the Easter Holy Week.

Holy Celebrations in Valencia, Spain

Penitents of the Santisimo Cristo del Salvador y el Amparo brotherhood carry a figure of Jesus on a cross during an Easter Holy Week procession on a beach in Valencia, Spain Friday April, 2, 2010. Hundreds of processions take place throughout Spain during the Easter Holy Week.

Holy Celebrations in Antigua, Guatemala

People take part in a Good Friday procession in Antigua, Guatemala, Friday April 2, 2010. Holy Week commemorates the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ culminating in his crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Holy Celebrations in Antigua, Guatemala

People take part in a Good Friday procession in Antigua, Guatemala, Friday April 2, 2010. Holy Week commemorates the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ culminating in his crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.