Easter offers a message of hope in people's "darkest hour," Pope Francis said, as he celebrated a late-night vigil Mass Saturday in St. Peter's Basilica, with the public barred because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pope Francis is advising people to reject "the god of money" as well as of that consumerism, pleasure, success and self.

Joyous Congolese dancing and singing have enlivened St. Peter's Basilica, as Pope Francis celebrated a special Mass for Catholics from the violence-wracked African nation and denounced arms suppliers for helping to fuel the conflict.