Pope John Paul II has said a culture of love had to defeat terrorism and what he called the logic of death and revenge in Iraq, the Holy Land and other places where conflict reigned.
The Pope was speaking in his Easter message from the Vatican.
In his Urbi et Orbi message, the Pope said he hoped the temptation to seek revenge might give way to the courage to forgive. He was speaking from St Peter's Basilica before a crowd of thousands.
Pilgrims had to pass through bag searches before passing through airport-style metal detectors to enter St Peter's Square. Security remains tight in and around Rome.
Aircraft are forbidden from entering Roman airspace, and the main road leading to St Peter's Square has been closed off.
The Italian media reported last week that intelligence agencies had warned the Vatican that the Pope might be targeted during the Easter period.
The Pope presided over a three-hour mass which ended late last night in St Peter's Basilica.
