In his first Easter Sunday sermon, Pope Francis prayed for world peace while a crowd of over 250,000 people packed in to join the mass at St. Pete’s Square. The Pope called for diplomatic efforts in countries such as North Korea and Syria.

Francis, in his ‘Urbi et Orbi’ speech from the balacony at St Peter’s Basilica said he prays for peace in this world torn with violence.

From Fox News:

"Peace for the Middle East, and particularly between Israelis and Palestinians, who struggle to find the road of agreement, that they may willingly and courageously resume negotiations to end a conflict that has lasted all too long. Peace in Iraq, that every act of violence may end, and above all for dear Syria, for its people torn by conflict and for the many refugees who await help and comfort. How much blood has been shed! And how much suffering must there still be before a political solution to the crisis will be found?"

In his down-to-earth style Francis dressed in his plain white pontiff cassock and according to the Wall Street Journal declined to adorn himself in anything other than the red stole draped onto his robe before the morning blessings.

After mass the Pontiff rode through the crowd in his open-top pope car greeting parishioners, kissing babies and patting children on the head. 

Read More Neon Tommy Coverage of Pope Francis here.