Pope Francis led Easter Vigil activities at St. Peter's Basilica on Saturday by baptizing a diverse group of catechumens.
The catechumens, or Christian converts, ranged from 13 to 66 years of age and consisted of five women, four men, and one teenage girl. Some reside in Italy while others came from as far as Kenya. "On Holy Saturday, the Church identifies with Mary and contemplate Christ in the tomb, after the 'victorious battle of the cross," Francis said prior to the proceedings.
On Friday, while presiding at the liturgy of the Passion of Our Lord in St. Peter's Basilica, the papal decried religious persecution and denounced martyrs' recurring attacks on Christians. He expressed similar concern that night during the Via Crucis procession at the Roman Colosseum.
"We see in you (Jesus) our persecuted brothers, beheaded and crucified because of their faith in you, before our eyes or often with our complicit silence," the pope said. Francis' comments come on the heels of an Islamist militant attack in Kenya that left 147 people - mostly university students - dead on Thursday.
For Francis, Good Friday was the second of four straight days of papal activities leading into Easter Sunday.
Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter that is meant to symbolize Jesus' final week before His crucifixion, culminates on Sunday with Pope Francis presiding over mass in St. Peter's Square. Festivities conclude with Francis giving his twice yearly 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
The entire Easter Sunday ceremony can be seen on the Vatican's YouTube page beginning at 4:15 a.m. EST.